March 9 | Contribution from Gail

Dear Eric:

I've been puzzling for some time about how things continue to be "business as usual" in the face of these overwhelming events and facts. While I was "down" last spring/summer, I took to reading Mike Ruppert's work and his website, in addition to yours.  The psychological adjustment to what I now know is true, about oil, about the war, and about the "grand plan," was a major one.  I had to read, and digest my fear, and read and digest my anger and outrage, and read and think about what I can do, both now and in the future of a world that I may not be here for . . . at least not so long as my children . . . and how to protect them and future generations.

The word is coming from all over the net. Not just investigative journalism and "alternate news," but from spiritual websites. I know in my heart that the final outcome will be something better for us all, but the destruction of the "old energies" and the "old system" is going to be very uncomfortable for all of us. Perhaps the powers want to know just how many of us really know about it and what we will do. I realize that the time for preparation IS NOW.

A few suggestions:

1. Recognize that we have several tasks before us; on a personal level, the first is survival:

- Mike Ruppert states that the first thing to do is GET OUT OF DEBT. You do not want you and yours, your home, etc. to be owned by corporations.

- Reduce your energy consumption in every way you can. Drive less. Turn lights, computers and anything electrical you are not using, OFF. Keep your thermostats lower, and wear more clothing if cold, less if hot. Make your home energy efficient.  

- Think seriously about growing your own food, composting, natural pest control, and encouraging your neighbors to do the same. Collecting water or being near a natural drinkable water source is important. How many noticed that it wasn't just energy companies raising their rates, but water companies as well?

- Work on your physical and mental health. If you have chronic health problems, research what you can do with alternative medicine. Locate or form a group of like-minded people for support. Our psychological reaction to losing our way of life is going to be at least 70% of the problem. (When you see the victims of Katrina, and how they are reacting, this is a microcosm of what we are going to see).  

- Keep your faith in God, the basic goodness of people, and the fact that there are many wonderful loving people out there who are willing to help.

- Live in harmony with the natural world. She is, after all, our greatest asset.

2. On a collective level, organize your communities -- not necessarily the government, unless they are willing (and some ARE) -- to plan for community farm markets, water conservation, and local cooperation with other communities. Lobby your town council or county government to fund projects designed for energy conservation and local survival efforts.

3. Buy goods locally, not from big corporations like Wal-Mart.  They may be cheaper, but your money does not go back into your community. Decide that there are things you can do without. Ask yourself every time you buy, do I really need this? NEED is the keyword. Is it essential to your survival? Give away things you don't need to people who do.

4. Work with your local auto dealers to turn in SUV's and gas guzzling autos for more efficient transportation. If you have a bicycle, use it.  

5. Meet with your neighbors often to problem solve, plan, and to facilitate solutions to community problems.

6. Take a stand against deals that are designed to rip you off. Say NO more often. Banks and credit are a good place to start. They control and manipulate your money. Keep a minimum in your bank account. Buy a safe. Realize also that the dollar may fall. Hang onto gold, silver and precious stones. Barter may be the system of the future, both goods and services.

7. Understand that not everyone is ready to break through his or her denial about what is happening. Organize with those who do understand and the others will follow as they see this develop.

8. Before you dismiss all of this as "conspiracy theory," do your homework, but not in network, corporate owned news reporting. I strongly recommend "Powerdown," a book by Richard Heinberg, available online. I also recommend Michael Ruppert's website, www.fromthewilderness.com. Another good book is "Strategic Relocation: North American Guide to Safe Places," by Joel E. Skousen.

These are my thoughts at the moment. I don't think confrontation is the answer, at least not at this moment. We are not organized and educated enough collectively to make this work.

Godspeed,

Gail Nelson