Friday, March 8, 2024

Protecting Your Family From Government Authorities

By Tim Gamble 
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This is a follow-up article to my previous article Protecting Your Family From the State and Society.

A big problem and growing problem in our dystopian world is government intrusiveness (as well as that of schools, companies, landlords, homeowners associations, and other "authorities"). 

No person or government has the moral right to tell you how to live your life, express your beliefs, or raise your children. No person or government has a moral right to prevent you from being self-reliant, practicing self-defense, or being prepared for an emergency. No person or government has the moral right to control your body against your will. However, many politicians, bureaucrats, and other busybodies think and act as if they have that right, and they are increasingly giving themselves the legal ability to do so. 

Know Your "Lines In The Sand"

Choose your battles wisely. Don't make everything a contest of wills between you and the authorities. They have rigged the game in their favor. Figure out ahead of time what is worth fighting over, and what isn't. 

Your employer tells you you MUST get the vaccine. Your kid's school says that all students MUST get the vaccine. Is that your line in the sand? Will you actually quit and find another job, or will you knuckle under?  Will you pull your kids out of that school (options include private school, home school, or move to a new district), or will you knuckle under?

What if you discover your kid's new teacher, Mr. Smith, is a trans activist who wears makeup and high heels in the classroom? Will that be your line in the sand? 

What if your state passes new, very restrictive gun control measures which would require that you turn in several of your guns? Will that be your line in the sand? Will you hire a lawyer to fight it? Will you refuse to comply? Will you finally move to a second amendment state?  What will you do when law enforcement shows up to take your guns? 

What if when they roll out the next pandemic, they order churches to close down again? Will you comply? What if the church you currently attend complies? 

The point is to think through the multitude of various What Ifs we may face, and decide now where your lines in the sand are, and how you will respond. This will help you act rationally and calmly, rather than emotionally. 

You will have to be clever to work around the impediments the authorities place in your way. Although I would never suggest anyone do anything illegal, there is a saying "Its easier to get forgiveness than permission." You have to obey the laws and rules whenever possible, but you don't have to sacrifice yourself or your family to those laws and rules. You have to decide where the lines are for yourself and your family.

Keep Careful and Detailed Records

Whenever dealing with anyone in authority - law enforcement, landlords, employers, bureaucrats, teachers or school administrators, your HOA, etc. - always keep careful records. Note details of exactly when and to whom you spoke, what was said, what the outcome was, and other details. Note any expected follow-ups by either party. Always save copies of any paperwork involved. Take photos of the situation if applicable. This level of detailed record keeping will help discourage any "misunderstandings."

Be Polite, But Firm 

When dealing with authorities, always be calm and polite, but firm. Losing your cool or getting emotional won't help the situation, and likely will make things worse. It is a good thing to be very firm and clear in your communications, but never use obscenities, vulgarities, or slurs. You can raise your voice slightly for emphasis, but never yell or shout at them. Smile. Even if they stoop to insults or threats, don't sink to their level. Again, remain clam and polite, but firm. 

Never, Ever, Make A Threat 

Making a threat against an authority, even in the heat of the moment, is never a good idea. Authorities take threats very seriously, and they have given themselves special protections against threats that us ordinary folks don't have. Remember, the system is rigged in their favor. 

This means never threatening an authority in person, or on social media. Think before you post! 

Where You Live Matters

Let me politely suggest this, even though this bit of advice upsets some people: If you find where you live too restrictive and controlled, consider moving elsewhere. You don't have to move to the deep country if you don't want, but perhaps you can find a less restrictive city or even a small town to your liking. Or maybe you just need to move out of your current neighborhood with the overbearing home owners association and into a neighborhood without one. 

As a general rule of thumb, red states (conservative) tend to be less controlling and restrictive than blue states (liberal). Small towns tend to be less controlling than 
big cities. 
And home owners' associations are the worst, with petty egotistical tyrants controlling everything.     

Generally speaking, the more rural an area is the freer it is. One practical reason is local governments, law enforcement, and schools simply don't have the money to push for too much control and ideological BS. This is a major advantage to living in "poorer" areas. 

Another reason is that the people in authority in small towns and rural areas are literally closer to the regular folks. In the Big City, the mayor lives in a gated mansion surrounded by security personnel. In a small town in the country, the mayor lives just up the street from you and shops at the same Walmart you do. This makes a huge difference. 
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Wednesday, March 6, 2024

Protecting Your Family From the State and Society

By Tim Gamble 
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The political and social environment in which we live can be just as potentially dangerous as the physical environment. Threats to our safety come not only from criminals, thugs, and other obvious bad guys, but from many government officials and even a large segment of regular folks. This can include many doctors, teachers, co-workers, and neighbors who have been brainwashed into considering traditional values, beliefs, and lifestyles as not only wrong, but potentially dangerous. 

Religious and political persecution is very real these days. Many people who stand up for traditional and conservative values are losing social media accounts, losing jobs, losing friends, and losing their reputations. Some are being "debanked," being placed on no-fly and terrorist watch lists, and otherwise being cancelled from normal society. Traditional folks are increasingly being reported for "hate" speech and being charged with "hate" crimes. 

What can we do about this situation? One thing is to face the current reality: that our religious and political beliefs can get us in trouble, even if those beliefs were considered normal and commonsense just a couple of decades ago. Then, we can take prudent steps to protect ourselves and our families.

Apply situational awareness not only to your physical surroundings, but to the social and political environment in which you live. If you don't fully understand situational awareness, please start by reading my article Survivalist's Guide to Situational Awareness and the OODA Loop.  It is a lot more than just paying attention.

Figure out the political and social dangers you face. How progressive is your local mayor and city council? What about your local schools and school board? The local cheif of police? Is your city a sanctuary city? How restrictive are state and local gun laws? What about your city manager (a non-partisan position in theory, but in reality they have a political ideology)? Same goes for your kid's school principal and teachers.  

What about in your neighborhood? Any busybody neighbors spying on you? Do you have a Home Owners Association? How much power do they wield? 

What about where you work? Any social justice warriors (SJWs) among your co-workers? How liberal are your bosses? di they require vaccines and facemasks? What are your company's polices regarding everything from sexual harassment, to workplace discussions on politics and religion? Are HR courses on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) required?  Is there an official pronouns policy? If you are white, are you required to admit your "white privilege?" 

Be aware that the deep state is watching you, and your family. Under Obama, the government began pressuring doctors to ask their patients about guns in their homes, trying to make medical records a de facto gun registry. Recently, this attempt to turn doctors into something akin to a secret surveillance force has increased, with medical professionals being encouraged to report parents who refuse suggested vaccines and procedures for their children. Special medical codes have been set up to track patients who refused the Covid vaccines. Patients are being encouraged to tell their doctors about any mental health concerns they may have about themselves and other members of their family and household (chilling considering the big push for red flag laws). 

Schools, too, are being used to collect data on the private lives of students and their families. In recent years, both individual teachers and entire school systems have been caught asking students about their parents' religious and political opinions and affiliations, who their parents vote for, whether or not there are guns in the home, and even whether or not their parents are obeying local recycling regulations!

It is important to take an honest look at your situation. This can be uncomfortable. One example: For years, many parents were aware of problems in the public school systems. However, it was always "other" schools, not their kid's school, that had the problems. They would fiercely defend their kids' schools and teachers. Then came the lockdowns, and their kids had to do school from home. This forced many of these parents to finally take an honest look at their kids' schools and teachers. What they saw was shocking, and lead to the ongoing parents revolt against school boards across the country. 

These are just some of the things you need to think about as you practice sociopolitical situational awareness. Once you have honestly identified the potential threats, you can act to protect your family from the State and society. 

Discuss with your spouse and children the importance of privacy. Explain that certain things are "family business" and not to be shared with outsiders, including teachers. Discuss what and how much can be shared with non-family members, such as bosses, co-workers, neighbors, doctors, and teachers. Discuss what should and should not be shared on social media. 

Never let a doctor or nurse talk "privately" with your child. Always insist on being in the room with them. There have been numerous examples lately of medical personal trying to have private discussions with young children regarding issues such as gender. If a doctor asks you to leave the room during an exam of your child, you have an absolute right to say no. YOU are your child's parent, NOT the doctor. 

Consider changing jobs, if you realize you are working for a very liberal, politically-correct company. 

Consider moving, if you find that you are living in a highly liberal city or state.

Get your kids away from leftist schools and SJW teachers. Move, homeschool, charter school, private school, or whatever else you need to do. As a parent, this should be your #1 priority. 
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Monday, March 4, 2024

Reminder! First Aid Kits and Medical Supplies

By Tim Gamble

This website is affiliated with Refuge Medical and Refuge Training. All Dystopians (that's you!) will automatically receive 10% off at checkout when visiting their store from links on this website. Their first aid kits, tourniquets, and medical supplies are high-quality, made-in-America products (no cheap China junk) that are great for  families, preppers, survivalists, hunters, hikers, campers, and all other living people. Helps keep blood in the body and breath in the lungs during life's emergencies.   

Click here to be sent to their webstore and receive 10% off. Remember, you will automatically receive the 10% off at checkout. 

Sunday, March 3, 2024

Cancer - Warning Signs & Risk Factors

By Tim Gamble

Be sure to check out last week's article: Warning Signs of Childhood Cancer

I know from personal experience that ignoring health problems is bad, and self-diagnose is even worse. If you have any of the signs, symptoms, or risk factors mentioned in this article, I urge you to visit your family doctor or other medical professional. If you haven't been to the doctor for years, I strongly urge you to get a medical exam sooner, rather than later.  

There are many different types of cancer, many with specific risk factors and early warning signs. Generally speaking, possible warning signs and risk factors may include: 

Risk Factors for Cancer
  • A family history of cancer
  • Smoking or tobacco use (about 22% of all cancers are related to the use of tobacco)
  • Age (as a general rule, the older you get, the more likely to develop cancer)
  • Unhealthy diet, including high consumption of sugar
  • Obesity and physical inactivity (the greater the couch-potato, the greater the cancer risk)
  • Poor sleep habits (consistently failing to get adequate amounts of sleep)
  • Exposure to radiation, chemical toxins and other environmental factors

Warning Signs of Cancer

  • Changes in urination or bowel movements 
  • Unusual bleeding or discharge
  • Lumps or thickened areas in the breast, testicles, or elsewhere
  • Indigestion or difficulty swallowing
  • Change in the size, color, shape, or thickness of a wart, mole, or mouth sore
  • Cough or hoarseness that doesn't go away
  • Persistent headaches
  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Unexplained loss of appetite
  • Persistent fatigue, nausea, or vomiting
  • Persistent low-grade fever, either constant or intermittent
  • Sores that don't heal
  • Repeated infections

NOTE: 
Having any one, or several, of these warning signs does not necessarily mean you have cancer. It is also possible to have have cancer without being aware any of these warning signs. Routine physical exams by a doctor are a good idea for everyone.


Only a medical professional can accurately diagnose cancer. If you do have any of the risk factors or warning signs, please consult your doctor or other medical professional.

See Also:  

Sources
Information presented in this article from the following websites:
  1. American Cancer Society 
  2. National Institutes for Health 
  3. Mayo Clinic 
  4. WebMD

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The Way, Issue 17 (Spiritual Preparedness for Believers)

By Tim Gamble
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." -- John 14:6

How To Tell If A Church is "Woke"

The following is from an article I wrote in June of 2023:

Back in Resistance Article 17, I urged folks to get out of modern liberal / progressive / "woke" churches. Instead, I urged folks to find a small Bible-believing, Bible-teaching congregation to join. Or find a home church or private Bible-study group to meet with on a weekly basis. Or start one of your own with family and friends who also believe in the Bible.

This does beg a question: How to tell if a church is "woke" or not? 

I gave one big clue in R-17 (read that article if you haven't yet). Does the church talk a lot about being "relevant" and "authentic" - two buzz words of the Far Left that reveal a desire to "fit in" with the modern world, rather than staying true to God's Word.  

Worrying about being relevant implies that somehow God's Word has become irrelevant to modern society, and that it is the Church that must move away from the Word and towards the World in order to be relevant. Thus you see lots of modern churches moving towards acceptance of homosexual lifestyles, gay marriage, sex before marriage, sex outside of marriage, multiple sex partners, gender confusion... Hmmm... Its interesting how much being "relevant" actually means accepting and even wallowing in sexual sin. Something to think about. 

Being authentic sounds nice, but what is it people want to be authentic towards? The Bible? No. That's the last thing most folks want. What is too often meant by being authentic is being authentic to one's self, whatever that might be. To many modern folks, an authentic church is one that accepts their Worldly beliefs without imposing God's out-of-date, old-fashioned, standards on them. 

Other Far Left Buzz Words In Modern Churches

"Social Justice" - Social Justice is not Biblical Justice. These are two different concepts, yet many people confuse them (some intentionally so - there are wolves in leadership positions of many modern churches). Biblical Justice is rooted in God's Law. Social Justice is rooted in postmodernism and neo-Marxist critical theory, and redefines justice away from long-held Biblical standards to the current and ever-changing Worldly standards. 

"Environmental Justice" - This is also often called "Creation Stewardship" to hide its actual meaning. It is simply modern environmentalism dressed up in "Christian" clothes. What's wrong with modern environmentalism? There's nothing wrong with wanting clean air and clean water, but modern environmentalism is much more about Leftist political and social ideology than it is about clean air and clean water.

"Economic Justice" - Sounds nice, but Economic Justice is just another name for Leftist ideologies, such as socialism and Marxism. Economic Justice isn't about helping the needy and poor, which is a good thing and used to be called charity, but encompasses a wide range of Leftist thought, much of it unbiblical. 

These, and other far left buzz words, are signs that a particular church is focusing more on political and social ideology (in other words, is "woke"), rather than focusing on worshipping God and teaching His Word. 

The Bottom Line 

Here is the bottom line: A Church should be unapologetically Bible-believing and Bible-teaching - and that means ALL of the Bible, from Genesis 1:1 through Revelation 22:21

No cherry-picking the "acceptable" passages. No avoiding the uncomfortable ones. No trying to "fit in" with the modern world. No denying the existence of Evil. No redefining sin to appease certain special interest groups. No trying to be a "safe space" for modern folks who get offended at every little thing they don't like. 

Link to the original article: How To Tell If A Church is "Woke"


Scripture Readings For This Week

Exodus 35:1 - 38:20
2 Kings 11:17 - 12:17
Matthew 17:22-27 
 
Proverbs and Psalms

Try to read one chapter a day from both Proverbs and Psalms. 

Scripture Memorization For This Week*

Continuing the memorization series on the Ten Commandments, from Exodus chapter 20. This week features the Tenth Commandment:

Exodus 20:17 “You shall not covet your neighbors house; you shall not covet your neighbors wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbors.”

* The above is from the NKJV, but feel free to memorize using whatever version you are comfortable with. 

Remember: You Only Fail When You Give Up

Missed a day (or several) reading your Bible? Got busy with life and forgot to pray yesterday? Having a hard time with the memorization? Don't sweat it! Just keep trying. Remember, you only fail when you give up. 
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Two of my favorite and most often used Bibles: 

The NKJV, American Patriot's Bible, The Word of God and the Shaping of America - One of my favorites, the New King James Version is literal, accurate, and easy-to-read for most modern folks. The American Patriot's Bible "shows how the history of the United States connects the people and events of the Bible to our lives in a modern world. The story of the United States is wonderfully woven into the teachings of the Bible." Lot's of articles and study notes showing the importance of God and the Bible to our nation's founding and subsequent history. Available on Amazon

The Scriptures - This new English translation includes Genesis through Revelation, and restores the Name of our Creator to the text in each place it occurs. This new version in English is a literal translation by Institute for Scripture Research, overseen by Dr. Chris Koster. New in this 2009 edition: Improvements to the text - seeking a yet closer equivalent to the literal meaning of the original language. Quotations / Allusions from the Old Testament are in bold type in the New Testament, and are accompanied by the text references - aiding your understanding of the original contexts, and how they influence the writers drawing upon them.  Available on Amazon

Friday, March 1, 2024

Presidential Election Year Survival!

By Tim Gamble

2024 is a Presidential Election Year. Cue the craziness, chaos, and civil unrest! Over on my resistance website, www.TimGamble.com, I posted a number of articles in February addressing how to prepare for and survive the political chaos that will likely occur this year. In the coming weeks, I will cross-post many of those articles on Dystopian Survival. If you want to get a jump on reading those articles, here is a list of links. Just click the headline to read the article.
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Is Russia Mobilizing School Children? Civil Defense Training!

By Tim Gamble

Just a quick note to make my fellow Dystopians aware of this video recently posted by Survival Russia on his YouTube channel. File it with the Civil Defense series I did back in August of last year. Here are the relevant links:

Is Russia Mobilizing In Schools? Featuring: Mrs. Survival-Russia (Link to video on YouTube)


Link to my article "Civil Defense in Russia" (other articles in the Civil Defense series can also be found in the August 2023 archives on Dystopian Survival) 

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AD:  Resistance Operating Concept (ROC) - Another great resource for resistance & underground operations. Recommended by both Pastor Joe Fox (aka Viking Preparedness) and Bear of Bear Independent.