As we watch southern Appalachia and learn from the aftermath of an incomprehensible natural disaster, we’re witnessing a stark and disturbing reality — the federal government is AWOL. Despite bought-and-paid-for resources and a massive four-letter agency, the feds are playing no constructive role in rescue and recovery.
Actually, it’s worse than that.
The United States government is interfering with — and actively attempting to prevent — private rescue efforts and delivery of critical relief, aid and supplies.
Read that again.
I’m sure you’ve heard official denials from the cabinet secretary who allegedly oversees transportation. And I want you to know that’s total bullshit. It’s been disproven by hundreds of firsthand accounts from trusted sources on the ground in North Carolina and Tennessee.
That damnable four-letter agency, bent on wresting control of the situation away from the People, has gone so far as to block runways at an airfield being used by private aircraft to bring in aid. They also seized incoming supplies and prevented them from being distributed.
Make no mistake — the feds are waging war on the American People.
The following is from Glenn Beck (formatting mine):
“The guy at the Asheville Harley-Davidson place, I met him yesterday. That place was wiped out.
“But it was still was standing. The bikes are all — he just lost everything. But they shoveled the mud out of that place.
“And he said, ‘I’ve got a field here. You can use that as a landing [zone].’
“There were helicopters coming in and going out — and the government tried to shut them down.
“They said, you know, ‘Nobody from the FAA is involved here, so you’re going to have to shut this down.’
“And Adam Smith, retired Special Forces who was running it, was like, ‘Really?’
“‘Yeah, you know what you are going to do? You’re going to leave. Because I have a helicopter landing and one taking off in a few minutes.’
“[He was] just pissed.
“‘You’re not here. If you had all of the assets here, if you had called one of the — oh, I don’t know, forts, bases, and Special Forces [units] that are just sitting on [the ground] in North Carolina — maybe we would shut this down.“‘But you’re not sending anything to help people. So get off our land!'”
Virtually everything being done right now for victims of this disaster is private. Local folks, even some who emerged with only their lives and the clothes on their backs, are pitching in to help those in even worse shape.
And then there are the mule teams. Cajun Navy. Hillbilly Air Force. Countless private charities and relief organizations.
Government is, at best, in the way.
The People are helping themselves, helping each other. That’s as it should be.
“Yeah, you know what you are going to do? You’re going to leave.
Get off our land!”
Think about it — the libertarian mantra of “Leave me alone!” in day-to-day life has integrity only if it’s invoked in the face of hardship. Independence is a hollow claim without self-reliance.
The People of southern Appalachia know they’re confronting a long, excruciatingly difficult recovery. They know that aid will slow over time. How will they fare then?
Again from Glenn Beck:
“As we were leaving, I said to one of the [local men], ‘Hey, you tell everybody you know that you haven’t been forgotten — that there are millions of Americans who care about you and love you guys, who want to help and are helping.’
“And he said, ‘That’s very kind of you. Now, will you tell everyone you know, something from me?’
“I said, ‘Sure.’ I expected a thank-you or something.
“He looked at me, and he said, ‘You tell everybody you know, that even if they don’t care, we’ll take care of our own damn selves, even if nobody shows up.'”
In an America poisoned by entitlement, the ferocity of true independence survives. It’s far from universal. It’d be a stretch even to say it’s common. But where there is Liberty — in Appalachia, in Ozarkansas, on the High Plains, in the rural Midwest — there’s a reservoir of strength.
They’re my People. That’s my Home.
Deb and I moved at a relaxed pace this morning as we got ready to head back to that humble thrift shop in Cotter. We made sure that we had what we needed — moving blankets, ratchet straps, cash — and we didn’t rush ourselves.
The proprietor, Wayne, had a whole lot more stuff outside today. We lingered there and browsed the tables before going inside. I picked up four more random tools — a 24-inch gooseneck wrecking bar ($5) and a 16-inch flat prybar ($3), as well as a Westline 15/16″x1″ open-end wrench ($3) and an SK half-inch-drive speeder handle ($5).
Deb grabbed an eight-quart enamelware “pasta pot” (stock pot with nesting strainer) for just $10.
The day’s best find, though, was outside on the lawn. There sat a 25-inch porcelain farmhouse-style sink — brand-new, never installed, in perfect condition. We’d originally wanted a farmhouse sink but simply couldn’t justify (or afford) dropping upwards of $350. We couldn’t pass this one up.
The price? Ten bucks.
We did get around to paying for the china cabinet we saw last Sunday ($79), loading it into the bed of the truck and returning to The Mountain. The cargo had to be cinched down again before we came up our road, but it made it Home just fine.
A very good morning.
I had a good laugh at my own expense this afternoon. To make a long story short, I discovered that the tires-on-wheels I bought at Tractor Supply weren’t never-flats after all — they’re pneumatic.
I grabbed the wrong thing off the store shelf.
So anyway, you can disregard my high-toned pitch about the smart decision I made. We’re still runnin’ balloons on the cart.
It kinda worked out, though — one of the wheelbarrow tires turned out to be flat, too. I moved the cart’s good tire (and wheel) to the wheelbarrow. The cart got the new shoes.
I did have to tap out the 5/8-inch bearings installed in the hubs and press-in 3/4-inch bearings (included in the kit). It was straightforward and pretty easy.
We ended our Saturday with date night — Mex at Letty’s in Gassville.
Take care of yourselves, Patriots. Stay calm. Stay sharp. Stay free.
#WiseUp #LibertyOrDeath #Ungovernable
#LetsGoBrandon #FJB