Russia looms large in every person’s future if one believes in biblical eschatology; however, apart from that, Russia is a major player on the world stage. As I write, Russia’s President Putin is waging a limited war in Ukraine, one of their border nations—with limited success.

There is vast speculation that Putin is dying, and Ukraine could be his last statement for biographers and historians. If the speculation is valid, there are horrendous possibilities for the world if he loses control of his mental faculties.

Some legitimate, sophisticated powerbrokers and media personalities, even top Russian diplomats, suggest WWIII is in the making! Moreover, Putin has taken many military losses and suffered major embarrassments, so no one can predict what a wounded bear might do, even if a terminal illness is not a factor.

As a military know-nothing, I wonder why he did not simply push a few buttons and take out very specific Ukrainian targets and force Ukraine to its knees—with surgical strikes. However, maybe Putin sent troops into Ukraine to support and defend Donbas from a vicious attack by some Nazis and the Ukrainian Government. Ukraine has been bombing the eastern Ukraine region to force them back into the fold.

However, the Russian-speaking citizens of Donbas don’t want “shotgun” reconciliation, and Russia has recognized their independence for multiple reasons; not all are altruistic.

Russia is one of the most important nations in the world. It is the largest nation in land size, covering one-eighth of the earth. It has more than 120 ethnic groups speaking about 100 languages. Moreover, it has vast reserves of oil, gas, and precious metals. It is a major producer of cobalt, aluminum, coal, chrome, copper, steel, gold, lead, manganese, nickel, platinum, vanadium, tungsten, and zinc.

Russia produces about one-fifth of the world’s oil supply and about one-fourth of natural gas.  A vast and intricate pipeline system links their production sites to all parts of the country, nearby former Soviet republics and many European countries. As much as 40% of Europe’s natural gas is supplied by Russia; therefore, Putin could cut off the heat at any moment. And did so recently to two NATO nations, Poland and Bulgaria, as I was writing this piece.

That is why many analysts suggest Putin has a heavy hammer over former Soviet Republics and other nations. Summer is here now, but winter is in their future.

Russia is bounded by fourteen nations but sixteen if Russians do the counting! Russia recognizes two breakaway Georgia states, although Georgia still considers them home folks. Some of Russia’s neighbors are vastly important in the geopolitical world, such as North Korea, China, Norway, Ukraine, Finland. The latter two nations made it clear that they want to join NATO!

Such a possibility keeps Putin awake at night and gives him perpetual heartburn. Following WWII, the Soviets were gobbling up weaker European nations, so NATO was formed in 1949 to protect western Europe against a Soviet attack.  Each of the original 12-member countries agreed that an attack on one aligned nation would be considered an attack on all. However, in 1991 the United Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) was dissolved, yet NATO expanded to 30 members, which caused great growling by the Russian Bear. Why expand NATO if the threat (the USSR) is deleted or diminished or dead?

America has long forgotten the warning to be wary of entangling foreign alliances. It is time for Americans to stop fostering, fighting and funding European, Middle Eastern, and Asiatic wars. America’s first responsibility is to Americans, not any other group. After all, there are plenty of nations in those areas to defend and protect weaker countries threatened by belligerent strongmen.

Even if one is convinced America is morally and legally responsible for financing and fighting European wars, no one will argue that Americans should do most of the fighting and funding. All decisions America faces must be with the thought of what is best for America, and each national leader should take the same position about their own nation.

U.S. Secretary of State James Baker promised Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev that NATO would not expand “one inch” toward the eastern European turf, but that promise was broken. If Ukraine, Finland, and Sweden become members of NATO as planned, U.S. weapons will be installed as they are now in Poland and Romania.

Putin publicly dismissed Ukraine’s right to operate as a sovereign nation without ties to Russia since “modern Ukraine was completely created by Russia.” He considers his invasion of Ukraine to be the swatting on the rear of an erring, disobedient child.

Putin is queasy about the U.S.100 nuclear weapons stored at NATO bases in Italy, Germany, Turkey, Belgium, and the Netherlands. He fears the nuclear weapons in NATO countries much closer to Russia even more. As he should. Thus, he is concerned about Finland, Sweden, and Ukraine joining NATO which would put nuclear weapons on his doorstep.

Furthermore, Putin and the Russians don’t want to live next to nations with U.S. missiles pointed toward Moscow and St. Petersburg. While I have no desire to defend a vicious, totalitarian regime, I must be consistent. We would be indignant if potent weapons were installed along the Mexican or Canadian borders. A sovereign nation has a right to defend itself, and no sane person says, “Yes, but Americans are the good guys and Russians are the bad guys, so the rules don’t apply.”

Soon, it is expected that the next bases to be built by the U.S. in Poland will be mobile, not permanent. In just a few hours, they would be able to detect and knock down incoming missiles from anywhere in Poland. The Poles already have at least two Patriot missile defense systems to deter any Russian threat and increase Poland’s security. Putin is concerned that the defensive weapons might become offensive. Additionally, the defensive missiles in NATO nations remove most of the sting from Putin’s threats.

Poland is a NATO member, so the U.S. had a right to supply them with defensive weapons that could knock out any incoming Russian missiles. Therefore, Putin (or a successor) cannot blackmail Poland or other NATO members since those U.S. missiles protect them from such threats.

We are told that we could send Patriot missile batteries to Ukraine since they are defensive; however, that would not be permissible since American troops would have to operate them, crossing Putin’s red line. Putin is a despicable, dangerous, and devious enemy, but he is the legitimate president of Russia, and he must do whatever is necessary to protect his interests.

Americans lose credibility and a reputation for honesty when they pretend the nation’s size gives special privileges over smaller and distant countries. The smallest nation is as sovereign as Russia, China, or America; however, these three have been involved in regime change, spying, espionage, outright invasion, and even running troubled nations.

It must be remembered by Europe and America that Russia has one of the largest militaries in the world and 6,000 nuclear weapons—the world’s largest. Who knows what a humiliated, hated, and hopeless Putin may do as he leaves the world in his last hurrah?  Moreover, it costs him nothing to threaten nuclear war and everything if he is stupid, senile, or sick enough to push the button.

While it is not normal for a totalitarian to be right occasionally, it does happen. No sane person will defend Putin’s prosecution of the war even if he has some authentic reasons for his war—but there is no justification for how he is running it. Eastern Ukraine (Russian speaking) consists of two provinces called the Donbas that voted to separate from Ukraine in 2014 and sought recognition and help from Russia next door. The people of the Donbas legally separated from the Ukrainian government and appealed to Russia for protection.

Russia recognized them as legitimate and began supporting them, resulting in the Donbas War raging since 2014 with numerous civilian deaths in Eastern Ukraine.

The Ukrainian officials and oligarchs in Kyiv don’t want to lose part of their nation, so they have resisted the area’s independence since the 2014 vote. The most vociferance Ukrainians against the separation are the Azov Brigade consisting of some Nazis. In March 2015, Andriy Diachenko, a spokesman for the violent Nazis, admitted to USA Today in the March 10, 2015 issue that “10% to 20% of the group’s members are Nazis.” The group, now consisting of an estimated 2,500 members, formed in May of 2014 as a paramilitary militia and fought the Russians until they were legally made part of the National Guard in November 2014.

World citizens are divided over the eight-year Donbas War, taking sides with Russia or Ukraine. Taking sides in this war is like being forced to choose between being hanged or shot—either way, you are dead. There are no good guys in this war, only bad and badder.

Here are some questions people need to ask as they decide what position to take on the Russian invasion.  Is every nation sovereign and accountable for making decisions in their own interests? Did the Donbas area of Ukraine have a right to break away as an independent nation? Do other countries have a right to decide whether to accept or reject the Donbas decision? Do other nations have a right to take a side in that war? Do a few hundred Nazis’ support of the Ukrainian government affect their official position, good or bad?

Furthermore, do Finland, Sweden, and Ukraine have a right to seek NATO membership? If membership is granted, do those governments have a right to permit U.S. weapons on their borders with Russia? Does Russia have a right to be concerned and not be willing to live with weapons in a neighboring nation? If America has a right, even a responsibility, to not permit weapons at our borders, why can’t Russia?  While a nation can make its own decisions, how could the governments of Finland and Sweden (traditionally neutral nations) choose NATO membership knowing Russian missiles would be eventually installed on their borders and destabilize the nuclear-free area?

Is there a way out for Ukraine and Russia? If war continues, the Russians will turn on Putin since they are already hurting after the Russian Central Bank more than doubled interest rates to 20%, and the ruble has plummeted, losing almost a quarter of its value. Russians are hurting, and while Putin is an authoritarian, he is a politician, and his rule must result in a reasonably good life for his people.

Furthermore, Ukraine is being pocked with destroyed cities—and probably the U.S. will be expected to rebuild them—over my dead body. I suggest Zelenskyy call Putin and agree that Ukraine will not pursue NATO membership, and the Donbas is free to climb into bed with whomever it wants. With that, the war ends. If Putin sees it all going down the drain, he may use small tactical nuclear weapons to force a Ukrainian capitulation rather than a giant strategic weapon, which would pose a global threat.

People who think Ukraine has any chance of defeating Russia also believe the 2020 elections were fair, the Democrats are not fearful of losing this November, Hunter Biden will never wear stripes and make license plates, think radical politicians are really honest and sincere, and Stacey Abrams is governor of Georgia.

While each American can choose sides about the war in Ukraine, we should stay out of it as a nation, including Nancy Pelosi, who basically promised the Ukrainians the U.S. would support them until the death of the last Ukrainian!

(Dr. Don Boys is a former member of the Indiana House of Representatives who ran a large Christian school in Indianapolis and wrote columns for USA Today for 8 years. Boys authored 20 books, the most recent, Reflections of a Lifetime Fundamentalist: No Reserves, No Retreats, No Regrets! The eBook is available at Amazon.com for $4.99. Other titles at www.cstnews.com. Follow him on Facebook at Don  Boys, Ph.D., and visit his blog. Send a request to DBoysphd@aol.com for a free subscription to his articles and click here to support  his work with a donation.)

“You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who can never repay you.” – John Bunyan

The character Ivan Karamazov, a flaming atheist, blames God for permitting the innocent to suffer. (Don’t they all?) Then Ivan asks his brother Alyosha, a professed believer, if he would do a bad act if it resulted in the eternal happiness of mankind. His required act would be to torture an innocent child after which this eternal happiness would come into existence.

Ivan asks, “Would you consent to be the architect under those conditions? Tell me honestly!”

“No, I wouldn’t agree,” said Alyosha quietly.

Neither would I. The basic premise doing evil that good may come of it is flawed.

It is tempting to do one act of cruelty that would give sight to every blind person, permit the crippled to walk, and eliminate all deadly diseases in the world. However, my refusal would not be a lack of concern for others but because of personal honor, responsibility, and accountability. Every person on earth must give an account for his or her own actions.

I am not responsible for decisions made by world leaders; however, I must give a personal account for what I do and my motives for doing it. Even if doing wrong would result in much good, I cannot do it—no matter how strong my altruistic desires may be.

That now brings me to a very practical, personal, and problematic decision made in time of war. What are my obligations before God for actions in time of a national emergency?

I have often silently questioned the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki (neither was a vital military target) to end WWII and restore relative peace, permanency, and prosperity to the world. After much thought, I would not have dropped those bombs nor done the bombings of Hamburg and Dresden!

It has been long recognized that bombing of enemy barracks, communication centers, railroads, airports, and fuel depots was acceptable, but never targeting civilians. Churchill changed that followed by Hitler’s nightly bombing of London.

No, I am not a pacifist. I believe in personal defense and I believe a nation must defend itself. Japan attacked us; we had to respond. Roosevelt had cut off Japan’s oil supply, basically a death blow to an oil-starved nation, so the Japanese leaders retaliated; however, they did attack us. But was there justification for dropping the atomic bombs killing 185,000 innocent civilians?

The experts told us that up to a million American lives would be lost if an invasion of Japan were launched. Moreover, the argument was made that in killing so many people in nuclear blasts, it would drive Japan to the negotiating table; however, Japan had been willing to surrender but not “unconditionally” as required by the Allied Powers. That is what continued the war.

If I had been a soldier during WWII, I suppose I would have been a pilot since I later became one and a plane owner. I would have had no problem being a fighter pilot since that is a one-on-one fight between two soldiers in defense of their nation’s objectives. However, if I had flown over Hamburg with a load of bombs knowing there were thousands of innocent people below that had nothing to do with the war, I could not have pushed a button and released the bombs on innocent people. From 42,000 to 45,000 people died in the destruction of Hamburg with more people dying in that bombing alone than in the entire German bombing campaign against England!

Many would call my refusal to bomb German civilians treason to my country but I’m convinced it is faithfulness to God; however, this is one time I must not be too hard on my critics. I might be, notice I said, I might be wrong; but my Bible-based conscience says I’m right.

During the closing stages of the war in 1945, Churchill reveled in bombing the German populace and refugees as they tried to escape from Germany. He knew terror worked. Churchill revealed his desire to use terror bombing in a memorandum in November 1942 in which he declared that “all the industrial cities should be attacked in an intense fashion, every effort being made to terrorise and paralyse the population.” Yes, Churchill was a terrorist, but he was “our” terrorist and President Roosevelt agreed with his decision to terrorize and kill civilians. Stalin was delighted.

Dresden was an old city with few military targets (and not one anti-aircraft gun) and was crowded with refugees from Breslau fleeing the Russian advance into Germany. Breslau had experienced a killing field that cost the lives of 170,000 civilians. The refuges and Dresden citizens, thinking they were relatively safe were shocked on the night of February 13, 1945 to see 800 RAF bombers drop more than 1,400 tons of bombs and more than 1,100 tons of incendiaries over the city creating a massive firestorm that incinerated an estimated 25,000 to over 300,000 civilian deaths!

The Dresden bombing was the most controversial and tragic bombing of the war. Even a certified butcher would have difficulty defending it.

About six months later, President Truman decided to end the war by using the atomic bomb against Hiroshima and Nagasaki; but contrary to what most people think, it was not a universally approved decision. However, it was a popular decision in America at the time.

Under Secretary of the Navy Ralph Bird, General Curtis LeMay, Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, former President Herbert Hoover, and President Truman’s chief of staff Admiral William Leahy had voiced protests about using the bomb but their protests had no impact on Truman’s decision.

The President, no doubt thinking it was the wise decision, ordered the Japanese cities to be bombed in August of 1945. In 1946, Truman ordered a U.S. Bombing Survey to be done a few months after the two Japanese cities were bombed, and it decided, “Japan would have surrendered even if the atomic bombs had not been dropped, even if Russia had not entered the war, and even if no invasion had been planned or contemplated.”

The use of nuclear bombs killing 185,000 innocent people within a few days and injuring 135,000 more was unnecessary, and the nuclear genie was released from the bottle.

It was discovered years later that many famous, powerful American officials disagreed with the decision to use the Bomb.

Norman Cousins, a famous author, editor, and aide to General MacArthur, asked the general about dropping the bomb and “He replied that he saw no military justification for the dropping of the bomb. The war might have ended weeks earlier, he said, if the United States had agreed, as it later did anyway, to the retention of the institution of the emperor.”

General Eisenhower confessed, “The Japanese were ready to surrender and it wasn’t necessary to hit them with that awful thing” (Newsweek, 11/11/63).

Soon after the bombing of Japan, Admiral William F. Halsey, commander of the Third Fleet, was publicly quoted as stating that the atomic bomb was used because the scientists had a “toy and they wanted to try it out…The first atomic bomb was an unnecessary experiment…It was a mistake to ever drop it.”

Concerning the war in Europe, Hitler said, “Terrorism is the best political weapon for nothing drives people harder than a fear of sudden death.” The definition of terrorism is “the targeting of innocent civilians to achieve a political goal.” Churchill, Roosevelt, and Stalin used terror against a German terrorist with a bad haircut and funny mustache who had grandiose military ambitions.

The Allies, ostensibly taking the high ground in all matters, decided to become temporary terrorists!

Only God requires and deserves unqualified obedience. However, to quote Alyosha, the youngest of the Karamazov brothers, “If God is dead, everything is permitted.” But God is not dead. He’s not even sick. And it is He to whom each person is responsible.

The dropping of atomic bombs on Japan and the unnecessary bombing of civilians was wrong; but then only a fool or fanatic says military leaders always make the right decisions.

There is nothing wrong in resisting an authority to obey a higher authority though unpleasant human consequences may follow.

(Dr. Don Boys is a former member of the Indiana House of Representatives who ran a large Christian school in Indianapolis and wrote columns for USA Today for 8 years. Boys authored 18 books, the most recent Muslim Invasion: The Fuse is Burning! eBook is available here with the printed edition (and other titles) at www.cstnews.com. Follow him on Facebook at Don Boys, Ph.D.; and visit his blog. Send request to DBoysphd@aol.com for a free subscription to his articles, and click here to support his work with a donation.)

These facts are not disputed: China has been working on biological weapons for decades and has the “largest Level 4 Biohazard Lab in Asia, which studies directly into the world’s deadliest pathogens including SARS and coronavirus. In 2017, experts warned that a virus could escape the labs in Wuhan because of lax containment standards.” Did the deadly virus escape or was it released as the following information seems to indicate?

Be careful, future events may prove you jumped too quickly—in the wrong direction. We need to keep in mind that the Martians did not invade New Jersey in 1938, but Orson Welles did laugh all the way to the bank.

Did China purposefully release the coronavirus upon the world as a means of reducing their population or was it accidentally (and prematurely) released? One of my readers who is a highly placed, highly informed, highly principled, and highly active American wrote me recently saying that one of his Chinese acquaintances (in regular contact with residents in Wuhan) revealed to him that the coronavirus was designed by Chinese scientists as a “biological weapon” that was originally designed to drop over Hong Kong to kill off all the population and to “re-populate with Chinese Communist loyalists (that would exclude Christians.)”

He also said, and later confirmed, that the original whistleblower who exposed the coronavirus, Dr. Li WenLiang “was a Chinese Christian who exposed the plague (a scientist) who mysteriously died.”

By the way, the Chinese source of this accusation is also highly placed, highly informed, highly principled, and highly active and trains leaders in the underground, unregistered church in China. I do not know him but I do know of his impeccable reputation and his dedicated, deserving, and dangerous work with the underground evangelical churches in China.

I have read thousands of books, most of them were historical, philosophical, or theological; many thousands of articles and columns but today I read the most important, shocking, and prophetic speech of my life that supports the premise of this article! In December of 2005, elite officials of the Chinese government met in a large, garish room to hear a world-shaking diatribe by General Chi Haotian, the Vice-Chairman of China’s Military Commission.

His threats are being demonstrated throughout the world as you read this. Moreover, the General is still alive and in good standing in the Chinese government and his shocking speech has not been repudiated by the Communist government. British and American China-watchers, with fingers crossed, have declared the speech a forgery—without any proof.

General Chi began by referring to a national survey taken in China as to how the populace would respond to war. He was not speaking of a “normal” war when a few million die, but many millions die. More than 80% admitted that they would shoot women, children, and prisoners of war. He told the elites that the good times “had come to an end.” He wondered if the people would support the Party if China’s global development necessitated “massive deaths” in enemy countries. The survey gave them the support they wanted although Communist tyrants don’t usually ask the people what they will support.

But this was different, very different.

China is hugely overpopulated and must do something. The keyword is must. They are convinced they have no choice but to involve the whole world in their “global development.” They believe their backs are against the wall and they must push out across the world. After all, they have that right since, according to Chi, they did not originate in Africa (as most modern evolutionists teach) but they arose “independently in the land of China” and have roots going back “millions of years.”

They will expand to other lands whatever the cost in lives—Chinese and others.

Chi reminded them that they were at the peak of civilization during the Tang Dynasty that thrived from 618 to 907 A.D. because of their “natural superiority.” He told them their “natural superiority” would be at its peak again.

He told them their ancestors left them with “the two most essential heritages, which are atheism and great unity,” so based on that foundation they are ready to claim their heritage and conquer the world. The Chinese must look to other nations because the “pressing issue facing us is living space.” He told them that most wars in history were fought because of the need for space.

The General then did an unusual thing: he spoke of how bad things were in China! That seldom happens without a one-way trip to the local re-education camp or a trip to the bang-bang wall. He admitted, “Our resources are in very short supply. The environment is severely polluted, especially that of soil, water, and air. Not only our ability to sustain and develop our race, but even its survival is gravely threatened.…Anybody who has been to Western countries knows that their living space is much better than ours. They have forests alongside the highways, while we hardly have any trees by our streets. Their sky is often blue with white clouds, while our sky is covered with a layer of dark haze. Their tap water is clean enough for drinking, while even our ground water is so polluted that it can’t be drunk without filtering. They have few people in the streets, and two or three people can occupy a small residential building; in contrast our streets are always crawling with people, and several people have to share one room.”

Translation: We gotta do something, fast.

He confessed, “We are now relying on imports to sustain our nation” so Chinese leaders “must lead the Chinese people outside of China.” Snatching some land from Taiwan or some other nation would not be enough but he lifted his eyes and saw Australia, Canada, and America. Those are places where the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) can colonize thereby removing millions from their swarming cities. He asserted, “United States, Canada and Australia have the vast land to serve our need for mass colonization.” He went on to say, the Chinese were “entitled” to the foreign lands.

Chi made it very clear that China does not want to destroy America, only colonize it with millions of their people. So, we don’t have to worry about bombs, only bugs. He admitted, “Only by using special means to ‘clean up’ America will we be able to lead the Chinese people there. Only by using non-destructive weapons that can kill many people will we be able to reserve America for ourselves.” Over half of American citizens must be left alive to serve the advanced Chinese that will live in the former America.

The general was overcome with a dark foreboding: “Biological weapons are unprecedented in their ruthlessness, but if the Americans do not die then the Chinese have to die. If the Chinese people are strapped to the present land, a total societal collapse is bound to take place. …This yellow land has reached the limit of its capacity. One day, who knows how soon it will come, the great collapse will occur any time and more than half of the population will have to go.”

General Chi characterized the Chinese as “revolutionary humanitarians” who did not wish millions of Americans to die but if there is a choice, it should be Americans, not Chinese. He closed saying, “Marxism pointed out that violence is the midwife for the birth of the new society. Therefore war is the midwife for the birth of China’s century.”

And war it is, although biological war. In Wuhan, the birthplace of the coronavirus is located the largest Level 4 Biohazard Lab in Asia. Did the virus escape as has happened before? Was it released by Chinese agents? Was it accidentally released?

Whatever, the virus is loose on the world and is lashing the face of more than 140 nations at this moment and unlike bombs, bullets, and battalions, the coronavirus has no return address that exposes its origination in China.

Keep in mind that the speech may be bogus; however, with China’s history of genocide for centuries and the hatred by China’s leaders as represented by the CCP, the speech could be false at the same time they are actually planning to implement its general proposals!

China does have a biological lab in Wuhan but it is difficult to focus on a snowflake during a blizzard.

(Dr. Don Boys is a former member of the Indiana House of Representatives who ran a large Christian school in Indianapolis and wrote columns for USA Today for 8 years. Boys authored 18 books, the most recent Muslim Invasion: The Fuse is Burning! eBook is available here with the printed edition (and other titles) at www.cstnews.com. Follow him on Facebook at Don Boys, Ph.D.; and visit his blog. Send a request to DBoysphd@aol.com for a free subscription to his articles, and click here to support his work with a donation.)

Within seven hours, the Japanese Navy made coordinated attacks on Guam, Philippines, Wake Island, Malaya, Singapore, etc. The world was burning as the light of freedom flickered all over the globe.

The USS West Virginia, known as “WeeVee” was moored next to the USS Tennessee and just ahead of the USS Arizona. The West Virginia was blasted with nine torpedoes resulting in extensive damage on her port side. She burned for thirty hours and sank in the harbor. The USS Oklahoma, just ahead of the West Virginia, was immediately sunk.

Jack Miller, Clifford Olds, Frank Kosa were on liberty from the West Virginia and spent Saturday night at the “Monkey Bar.” in Pearl City. A barmaid took their picture with a cheap camera and offered it for sale but the three very young sailors refused to buy it. In the photo, Clifford Olds was smiling with his friends; a Camel cigarette between his fingers.

That photo was the last photo of Clifford Olds and within a few hours, he and two friends, Ronald Endicott and Buddy Costin would be in an airtight compartment with limited oxygen, little food, and be dead in sixteen days. The young sailor in the photo didn’t know that he was sixteen days from eternity.

Pearl Harbor was a nightmare with explosions continuing, men crying for help, oil burning on the water, ambulances whining in and out of the base. The top brass were fearful of another attack from an invading force so marines were stationed as guards at appropriate places.

It was late the next day when the West Virginia’s fires were extinguished and Marine guards were posted on the shoreline of Ford Island, next to “Battleship Row.” The guards standing near the West Virginia wreckage heard “bang, bang” coming from the bow of the ship. The clanging could not always be heard because of the rescue crews and the abnormal noises from all the rescue and cleanup activity. WeeVee Marine Bugler Dick Fiske recalled, “When it was quiet you could hear it…bang, bang, then stop. Then bang, bang, pause. At first I thought it was a loose piece of rigging slapping against the hull.” But it was three desperate men crying for help–help that would never come.

The Marine guards were horrified at knowing someone was still alive and trapped inside the wrecked hull. Everyone knew it was almost impossible to rescue them because the drills and torches would ignite the ever-present gasses. Also, the military brass had many other emergencies that demanded their attention, not the least was the possibility of an invasion. The Marines standing guard covered their ears. They were totally helpless which only added to their horror.

Following the revelation of the desperate and hopeless cries for help, no one wanted guard duty close to the dead ship and dying sailors. It was especially unnerving on quiet nights without the normal noise. The Marines would do anything to trade posts so they wouldn’t have to hear the banging.

The banging went on until it stopped on Christmas Eve–then silence.

In late spring 1942, Navy salvage teams finally started work on the West Virginia and found Olds, Endicott, and Costin sitting on the floor completely surrounded by water, 40 feet down. Batteries, food wrappers, etc., were scattered around the compartment. They also noticed a calendar marked with large Xs with the last one on Dec. 23. Members of the salvage team wept as they surveyed the tragedy. The other dead at Pearl died terrible but fast deaths; but these three helpless, hopeless, and hapless men took sixteen days to die.

The military authorities told their families these sailors were killed in “the war in the Pacific.” Many years later, family members of the three heard about their deaths but refused to inform the parents. All three tombstones list their deaths as taking place on December 7, 1941; however, they really died just before Christmas as Americans were buying toys, trees, and tinsel for a subdued Christmas celebration while the world was on fire.

These men are among the representatives of the Greatest Generation and the reason we are a free people eating ham and turkey for Christmas dinner instead of sushi.

Boys’ book Muslim Invasion: The Fuse is Burning! is available here. An eBook edition is also available.

America is closer to nuclear war than any time since the Cuba missile crisis in 1962. We are told by some (after they stop beating their war drums and wiping the Kool Aid from their lips) that it is time for Trump to send the North Korea dictator into eternity. Of course, if that happens, a few million others will go with him. Even some Fundamentalists are beating the drums for war! There is a time for war but it must be a just war–not for land, not for power, not to divert attention from economic problems, not to display manhood, not to save face, etc.

Roman pagan Cicero introduced the principle of a “just war.” Such a war must be for the honor and safety of the nation; the war is pursued only after negotiations have failed; a declaration of war must be given to the enemy; the purpose must not be for conquest or land but for producing a just peace; prisoners and those who surrender must be protected; citizens should be protected if possible. (De Republica iii.22-29; De Officiis i. 11-12.) Not bad for a pagan.

The first war in history took place in Mesopotamia (modern Iraq) in 2700 B.C. between Sumer (in modern Iraq) and Elam (in modern Iran). The Sumerians, under command of the King of Kish, Enembaragesi, defeated the Elamites in this war and it is recorded they “carried away as spoils the weapons of Elam.”

The details of the first recorded war were written on a stone monument erected by Eannatum who was ruler of Lagash (city-state in Iraq) commemorating his victory over the ruler of Umma (city-state in Iraq) in 2525 B.C. It depicts birds feeding on the remains of the dead soldiers. Alas, such a depiction tells the story of all wars.

Christians and Western Civilization should base their warfare on biblical principles beginning with Abraham. He and Lot had moved from Ur (Iraq) and ended up in Canaan, a territory of city-states, petty princes, notorious nomads, and rough rebels. Abraham and Lot became wealthy in the currency of the day–herds of cattle, goats, asses, camels, etc. Then Lot split off from Abraham and moved to Sodom.

Genesis 14 reveals the first recorded war in the Bible in about 1925 B.C. Chedorlaomer had subdued and conquered the kings of Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, Zeboiim, and Zoar all located on the plains of Jordan and made them pay tribute for 12 years. The five kings rebelled against paying this tribute and Chedorlaomer led a coalition of four kings, including the kings of Chaldea and Persia (minor powers at that time) to collect his tribute and teach the rebels a lesson. Since Lot lived in Sodom, he and his family and their goods were taken captive; Lot’s Uncle Abraham pursued the kings and chased them to Damascus where he rescued the whole group.

Abraham formed a coalition of his neighboring chieftains along with his 318 servants and went after the four kings to rescue Lot and family–and their goods. He was motived by altruism not by avarice or ambition or anger but to rescue the innocent. Although Abraham was a man of peace, he had trained his small army in military tactics. The army he was pursuing was vicious, victorious, and not a vanquished army so Abraham and his coalition were vulnerable. But righteous people are bold as a lion because their hearts and motives are pure. After the successful battle, Abraham refused to take a reward from the King of Sodom; he only wanted his family and their goods returned.

Abraham waged a righteous war demonstrating the conditions of a just war. Canaan was not an organized nation with laws, officials, boundaries, etc. The walled city of Jericho had about 2,000 inhabitants following an agricultural lifestyle as far back as 7,000 B.C. (although I think that is exaggerated).

Many in the U.S. are always ready for war, usually the old dudes who only get as close to danger as a cannon at a Washington monument. They send the young to prosecute the war–as is true in Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan, etc. Then there are others who never think it is necessary to take military action. They demand we beat our swords into plowshares while the descendants of Mau, Marx, and Mohammed decide to conquer, kill, or subjugate us.

We are the most powerful nation on earth and more so than any time in history; but having the weapons does not guarantee we have the wisdom. Reasonable people of all persuasions hope (and pray) that President Trump will use wisdom to avoid the use of weapons on the North Koreans. Our principles should preclude the use of weapons when possible.

It would be wise to consider the words of Alexander Solzhenitsyn who opined that the next war may well bury Western civilization forever. We have dumped trillions of dollars in the Middle East and have little to show for it except little white tombstones in Arlington Cemetery. The final bill for our wars in the Middle East will run at least $3.7 trillion and could reach as high as $4.4 trillion, according to the research project “Costs of War” by Brown University’s Watson Institute for International Studies.

In light of the high cost in lives and dollars, I suggest President Trump hesitate before pulling the trigger. In this situation, it is wiser to go a little too slow than to go too fast. Haste makes waste as any war photos will prove. Yes, the fat boy in North Korea and the fanatics in Iran have nuclear weapons and are willing to use them. But let’s not be too hasty to get out the war paint.

The reason for going to war with North Korea is the safety of U.S. citizens. When wise heads decide that we are in imminent danger then U.S. officials should collect and coalesce a coalition to confront the little toad in Pyongyang. If North Korea were contiguous with the U.S. as is Mexico then we could go it alone but not with this geography. Even China, and for sure Japan and South Korea would see the wisdom in joining us.

Then demands should be made by the coalition that would eliminate the threat permanently. If our demands are rejected, then let loose the dogs of war. Of course, that doesn’t have to be nuclear weapons. The object is to protect America, not to kill everyone.

Our officials must also look beyond the victory; we don’t want to occupy North Korea for fifty years. Nor do we want to rebuild their cities. We only want protection for our people.

Boys’ new book Muslim Invasion: The Fuse is Burning! was published by Barbwire Books; to get your copy, click here. An eBook edition is also available.

Al Capone was Chicago’s crime czar during Prohibition days. He was notorious for enmeshing the windy city in everything from bootleg booze and prostitution to murder. His crime organization was called the “Chicago Outfit.” He often said, “I am just a businessman, giving the people what they want.” His business card identified him as a “used furniture dealer.”

Capone had a lawyer with the moniker of Easy Eddie. He represented Capone for a good reason–he managed to keep Al out of prison although everyone knew Al was knee deep in murder, extortion, prostitution, and anything to make him easy money! In fact, Eddie’s skill at legal maneuvering kept Big Al out of jail for a long time. To keep Eddie on the payroll and to keep him quiet, Capone paid him very generously.

Eddie and his family occupied a huge mansion with servants and all of the conveniences of the day. The estate was so large that it filled an entire Chicago city block. Yes, Eddie lived the high life of the Chicago mob and gave little consideration to the atrocities that went on around him. After all, his hands were “clean.” He was only an attorney.

Eddie, as Al, didn’t seem to care about anything honest or decent but Eddie did care for his son. Eddie saw to it that his young son had anything he wanted. That usually destroys children. And, despite Eddie’s involvement with organized crime, he tried to teach his son to rise above his own sordid life. One day Eddie noticed him sprawled on a couch reading books and eating banana layer cake and doughnuts. The father decided that his boy was showing signs of laziness and enrolled him in a military academy in Alton, Illinois. That was one of the wisest decisions Eddie ever made.

Then one day, Eddie reached a crossroad in his life. Providing his son a good name was far more important than all the riches he could lavish on him. He decided he would “spill his guts” and reveal Capone’s financial crimes to the authorities. Some critics tell us that Eddie’s decision was not so altruistic, and no one can be sure of his motives but we know his actions.

Eddie asked a reporter for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch to contact the IRS which was investigating Capone for tax evasion. The reporter arranged a meeting with the IRS and Eddie was the key to Capone’s conviction. The IRS agent said of Eddie: “On the inside of the gang I had one of the best undercover men I have ever known.”

To salvage his son and refurbish a tarnished reputation, Eddie had to testify against the Capone, and he knew that the cost would be great. He wanted to do his best to make restoration and, hopefully, to leave his son a good name. So, he testified in Al Capone’s tax evasion trial in 1931 and 1932. Capone was sentenced to eleven years in prison but released after six-and-a-half years since he was dying of syphilis. A week before Capone’s release from prison, Eddie was blown into eternity by multiple shotgun blasts by Capone’s gang while driving home from his office in his Lincoln-Zephyr. He was 46-years-old.

But, in Eddie’s eyes, he had given his son the greatest gift he had to offer at the greatest price he would ever pay.

A few years later America was at war with the Axis powers that resulted in millions of deaths and disabilities. Many ordinary young men became unusual heroes such as Lieutenant Commander Edward “Butch” O’Hare. He was a fighter pilot on the aircraft carrier Lexington in the Pacific theater.

Early February 20, 1942, every member of the flight squadron was sent on a mission and after Butch was airborne, he looked at his fuel gauge and saw that it was not full. He assumed that he had trouble with his gas gauge or someone had failed to fill his fuel tank. He quickly realized that he would not have sufficient fuel to complete his mission and return to the fleet. His flight leader ordered him to return to the carrier.

As he was returning to his carrier, he saw a squadron of Japanese Zeros speeding in the direction of the still unseen American fleet. The Zero, with a top speed of 350 miles per hour at nearly 20,000 feet, was the most deadly and efficient plane in the world with an incredible 12 to 1 kill ratio! Additionally, it was armed with two 7.7-millimeter machine guns and two 20-millimeter cannons in its wings. No American plane could compete in a “dogfight” with a Zero but the Japanese discovered that a competent, courageous, and committed man could overcome a plane’s inadequacies.

Since the American planes were en route to their destination, Butch knew their mission left the fleet highly vulnerable to Japanese attack. There was no way he could reach his fellow pilots to bring help to the fleet and he could not warn the fleet of approaching danger. He knew he had to get the attention of the enemy pilots to keep them from discovering the almost helpless fleet. Selflessly and alone, he attacked the Japanese planes as his wing-mounted guns spat deadly lead into the enemy planes. No doubt, the enemy pilots thought they had a crazy American in the sky with them.

Butch wove in and out of the now broken formation and fired at as many planes as possible until all his ammunition was depleted. Undaunted, he continued the assault against faster, more maneuverable planes. He dived at the enemy, trying to clip off a wing or tail in hopes of damaging as many enemy planes as possible and rendering them unfit to fly. He was desperate to do anything he could to keep them from reaching the American ships.

After minutes that seemed like hours, the shocked Japanese squadron flew in the opposite direction of the still undiscovered fleet. Butch O’Hare flew his damaged fighter back to the fleet and managed to land on the bouncing carrier. His report sounded like a grade B movie but the film from his gun-camera confirmed his report. It showed his dangerous weaving, diving, ramming, etc., to delay, destroy, deflect, or deter the enemy planes away from the fleet.

Incredibly, he had demolished five enemy planes and for that action Butch became the Navy’s first Ace of WW II, and the first Naval Aviator to win the Congressional Medal of Honor.

On Nov. 16, 1943 Butch led the Navy’s first night-time attack from an aircraft carrier against Japanese torpedo bombers and was killed in aerial combat at the age of 29. His home town of Chicago named their airport O’Hare International Airport in tribute to the courage of this great man.

It would be worthwhile to visit a memorial to his heroic service the next time you are at O’Hare International. He is one reason you don’t speak Japanese! Your visit at Butch’s memorial or at least a moment of reflection is especially appropriate during this anniversary of the Japanese surrender in August of 1945.

So, what do these two stories have to do with each other? Well, Butch O’Hare was Easy Eddie’s son. The father’s sacrifice paid off.

A Chicago hoodlum produced a hero! What are you producing?

Boys’ new book Muslim Invasion: The Fuse is Burning! was published by Barbwire Books; to get your copy, click here. An eBook edition is also available.

The Secretary of Defense revealed last week that 200 special operation troops would be sent into Iraq and would participate in raids into Syria. Wait a minute, I thought the Iraqi war was over, or at least we had quit; however, we did leave 3,500 troops there. On Nov. 4 Obama said, “But you know I say what I mean and I mean what I say. I said I’d end the war in Iraq. I ended the war in Iraq.” But more troops will be sent!

Senators Graham and McCain want Obama to raise the total U.S. forces in Iraq to 10,000 and send an equal number to Syria! If Obama does that, I suggest that Graham and McCain cease beating the war drums and actually lead the first incursion. Old men make wars and young men (and women) die in them.

What will these new troops in Syria and Iraq do? Will they defend themselves? What are their limitations? What will happen in a confrontation with Russian troops? In early November the BBC reported that 10,000 Russian troops were in Syria and after the Paris attack, Putin authorized 150,000 more troops! If American troops are captured, will we send troops to rescue them?

On Nov. 24, the Turks shot down a Russian plane on the Syria-Turkey border and a Russian helicopter was shot down by the US backed Syrian rebels–the Free Syrian Army with what is thought to be an American supplied TOW missile. It gets worse as Russia’s Putin ordered their best missile defense system sent to the Russian airbase in Syria in retaliation for the destruction of their plane and pilot. Some U.S. experts are preaching, predicting–maybe promoting World War III.

Syria is a maniacal, murderous, malodorous mess that should alarm the U.S. but not activate us. It calls for our attention but not action.

Just to remind younger readers of another mistake we made: Following WW II, Vietnam was divided into the Communist North and the democratic South. In July of 1950, United States military involvement in Vietnam began as Democrat President Harry Truman authorized $15 million in military aid to the French in their struggle with communists in the north. A few advisors were authorized followed by tanks, planes, artillery, and other supplies to prosecute the war.

In January of 1955 Republican President Dwight Eisenhower sent military aid and offered to train the South Vietnamese Army. We were now on a slippery slope and it finally ended with a divided America; 47,244 Americans were killed and over 334,000 were wounded; 922 U.S. airplanes shot down; hundreds of villages leveled; and a high of 543,000 American troops in Vietnam. More than 2,400 POWs/MIAs were unaccounted for as of 1973. It was America’s longest war (15 years of combat) and our first defeat ending in 1973. Our government never had any intention of winning the war. Sadly, today Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, and Thailand are still controlled by tyrants!

Nixon campaigned for president on “peace with honor” but there was no honor. America troops fled Saigon as Communist troops entered the city. U.S. helicopters lifted American Marines, embassy personnel, and South Vietnamese civilian workers (who were on the commies’ death list) from the roof of the American embassy. Film footage of desperate civilians hanging onto departing helicopters is the last shameful scene in a tragic war that started with a few advisors and trainers!

Now we have advisors and trainers in Syria! We’ve seen that movie before with Vietnamese subtitles. This time subtitles are in Arabic!

Syria is a snake pit with a bunch of snakes killing each other and the U.S. should stay out. The BBC News reported that “There are believed to be as many as 1,000 armed opposition groups in Syria, commanding an estimated 100,000 fighters.” It is a tangled mess that has no reasonable solution.

Syria’s dictator Bashar Assad is a Muslim hypocrite (as was his daddy), supported by Shi’ites, an efficient killer especially when cornered, and supported by Russia fighter jets, Iran, and the terrorist group Hezbollah. However, Assad has governed the nation and provided stability and protection to Christian churches.

Assad’s opponents in the civil war are a ragtag assortment of Islamic fanatics including the Jabbat al-Nusra terrorists, who will cut the throats of their co-belligerents as soon as the Assad regime falls or is pushed over. There are Iranian, Russian, and Syrian armies already fighting ISIS on the ground (thereby helping Assad) and French, Russian, and American jets fighting from the air. American jets are pounding Assad’s conglomerate army and Russian jets are fighting Assad’s enemies. So, America is hurting Assad while Russia helping Assad! Added to this crazy mix, the Israeli air force is also flying sorties from time to time.

Assad’s enemies like to be known as ISIL, meaning the Islamic State of Iraq and the Lavant. This refers to a region stretching from southern Turkey to Egypt that includes Lebanon, Syria, Israel, the Palestinian territories, Cyprus, and Jordan. The group’s stated goal is to restore an Islamic state, or caliphate, in this entire area. ISIL is the term used by the UN and the Obama administration and using it gives the terrorists more credibility as if they actually represent all those living in the Levant–from Turkey to Egypt. The use of the term also takes attention away from Obama’s failure in Iraq. In Obama’s commencement speech at West Point on June 19 he used ISIL 16 times thereby warning the mainstream media to go along with the farcical nomenclature.

The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) claims to be a caliphate with religious, political, and military authority over all Muslims worldwide. It controls territory with 10 million people in Syria and Iraq and has changed its name to IS or Islamic State. Obama insists on using ISIL instead of ISIS when discussing the area. There is no difference whether ISIL, ISIS, or IS; they are the same–Muslim butchers.

The free world and the UN still haven’t received the message: there is no way to beat Islamists. We can blast a nation into the Stone Age but that won’t win the war. Fact: there will be perpetual conflict as long as there are Koranic Muslims down at the local mosque–any local mosque. We will be at war and living with terror to the end of the age! The next war could very well bury Western Civilization forever as well as the barbarians living on the Arabian Desert.

Furthermore, there is the issue of national sovereignty. Who gave America the authority to invade another nation? Do we believe in national sovereignty or not? At least Russia was invited into Syria and Israel can build a good case for their attacks. Do we believe in sovereignty for us but not for “them”? No one has even tried to justify this inconsistency.

Syria: Too little too late or too much too soon? Neither, the US should not have troops there. Let Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Turkey, Egypt, Iran, etc., clean up their own mess. As I wrote in 2013, the US should stay out of Syria since it is a bridge into Hell. All factions in Syria are thugs, thieves, tyrants, or terrorists and they all pray toward Mecca.

The US Air Force Secretary has admitted that “ground forces” is a must in order to “occupy” and “govern” parts of Syria; but the US should not be interested in occupying or governing any other nation. We have no more right to be there than Mexico has a right to occupy and govern San Diego, Tucson, Las Cruces or Brownsville. We have no right to be there unless we declare war.

All the Muslim states in the area are enemies of Syria and Iran so I suggest that the Saudis, the Egyptians, the Jordanians, the Turks, etc., get together a massive army (Turkey has 500,000 troops in the barracks) and clean out their Muslim “brothers.” They can easily finance the operation with their oil money. They can show how ecumenical they are by rebuilding the homes of the Kurds and Christians. The US can share intelligence and strategy with the “good” guys but it is a Muslim fight.

Syria is a mess but it is not worth another American life or limb. The US has left enough American blood and limbs in that desert wasteland. The Muslims made the mess, now let them clean it up.

(Boys’ new book, The God Haters was recently published by Barbwire Books; to get your copy of The God Haters click here . An eBook edition is also available.)

Therefore you should prepare for the worst and pray for the best. Your children should be aware of the possibilities but get them ready without scaring them to death! After all, there is no doubt that their lives will change forever, do not let this hit them in the face tomorrow morning. Carefully get them ready. Let them know that this disaster is no surprise to God. God did not look down recently and say, “Oops.” He has watched this coming on for many years and is permitting man to put himself in a “fine mess.”

Teach the children that they will have to assume more responsibilities around the house. (You should have been training them from their earliest days.) Discuss some of the things they can do to help in surviving and thriving after such an attack on America. Let them know that children all over the world will have to grow up a little quicker than in the past. They should learn to take care of their own rooms, clean out the garage so you can store some food there, and learn to care for the garden, to butcher rabbits, turkeys and clean fish. Let them know that they are an important part of the family unit. (Again, I hope they already know that.)

Teach them to respect, understand, and care for guns. They should know how to hunt and clean game before they need to do so for survival. Children are children, so plan for long nights without much to do. Purchase books, games, puzzles, and DVDs (although televisions may not work so wean them away from television now). Get involved in some of their games and read to the very young.

Purchase school materials for them while they are still available. The public school system and many Christian schools will probably fold in most areas. Prepare for such possibilities, and be sure to purchase Teacher’s Editions and answer keys.

When hard times come, do not wear gold jewelry or expensive clothes or drive large cars. Such people will be targets in an age of envy (generated by non thinking liberals for fifty years). Even decent people will be jealous of your apparent “good fortune.” Translation: you prepared and they did not!

Go to discount stores today, yes today, and purchase toilet paper, honey, salt, pepper, packaged and canned food, bags of rice and beans, various spices, tape, knives and batteries. Then you should buy some silver and   gold. A few boxes of anti-radiation tablets will be more valuable than gold if you are in a contaminated area after a nuclear powerplant meltdown. Get a supply today even if you don’t live near a nuclear plant.

Following are some items that should be in your home: Extra pair of eye glasses or contact lenses, needles and thread, plastic sheeting, medicine dropper, matches, flashlight and batteries, aluminum foil, disposable baby bottle liners, toilet paper, sanitary napkins, insect repellent, toothpaste and toothbrushes, shampoo, candles, lamp oil, battery operated smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detectors.

You also need paper cups, plates, and plastic utensils, baby needs, diapers (cloth), household bleach, Lysol, large and small plastic trash bags, deodorant, good shovel, hatchet, hack saw and extra blades, ammunition (can be used for bartering as well as protection), dish washing soap, bath soap, laundry soap, contraceptives, tools for repairs, kits to repair flat tires on various vehicles (also an air pump), assorted nails and screws, solder, lead, oil for autos and tractors, portable AM-FM radio, flashlights with plenty of batteries, duct tape, mouse traps, lime, shoe laces, rubber gloves, W-D 40 or similar product, extra set of tires and sparkplugs.

You should purchase garden tools, seeds, and everything necessary for a garden. If space is limited, forget flowers and plant a vegetable garden after all God did that after creating everything. Gen. 2:8 tells us “And the Lord God planted a garden eastward in Eden.”

You may not have pure drinking water for a while so plan to treat your water from the roof or from a lake or pond. You can boil water for up to ten minutes and while it will kill the bugs, it will not help the taste much. However, you can add Kool-Aide, Tang, or other mix to improve the taste. It will also help the taste if you pour the water (after it has cooled) back and forth from different containers. Remember that boiling water does not remove toxic chemicals and metals.

I think the best decision is to buy a distiller. We have distilled our water for many years and add desired minerals to it.

You could always use household bleach to treat your water if the bleach contains a 5.25% solution of the chlorine compound sodium hypochlorite. It may warn, “Not for personal use,” but that can be disregarded (according to FEMA) if sodium hypochlorite is the only active ingredient. Purchase the brand that has no additives such as perfumes, soaps, etc. It takes 8 drops of bleach per gallon of clear water; 16 drops per gallon of cloudy water; 1/2 teaspoon per 5 gallons of clear water and I teaspoon per 5 gallons of cloudy water to make water drinkable.

After adding bleach to water, thoroughly mix by stirring then let stand for at least 30 minutes. Remember that iodine and bleach do not purify water but do make it safer by neutralizing harmful bacteria.

You can collect water at your downspout, your swimming pool, waterbed, back of commode, lake, ditch, river, etc.  You can even drag towels across the grass early in the morning and collect enough water to keep you alive! Remember that flowing water is preferred over still water and clear water is preferred over cloudy water.

You can purchase products that will treat water and keep it drinkable for about 5 years without using any other chemicals but don’t use milk jugs to store water since they will not withstand long-time storage. Plastic soda bottles can be used safely after a thorough cleaning with very hot water. Metal cans are not the best storage containers for water since the metal affects the taste. They may also rust.

The Bible teaches us to plan for what is approaching and experts tell us that powerless days are ahead of us. If they are wrong then we are not losers by preparing. Politicians always end a speech by saying, “God bless America,” but God has blessed America but America has not blessed God by reacting in a proper fashion. Hence, the coming judgment brought to you by the followers of that “peaceful religion” of Islam–or it could be a super solar storm. Whatever the cause, a major shutdown of the grid will have you sitting in the dark.

Get prepared in every way including peace with God through faith in Christ. That is the best and permanent preparation for whatever might happen.

I have been asked if it is possible for us to repent as a nation and return to greatness, or must we ride the toboggan slide to the garbage heap of history. We can repent but a return to greatness as a nation will not happen if history is any standard.

We may soon know the answer to that question.

http://bit.ly/1iMLVfY Watch these 8 minute videos of my lecture at the University of North Dakota: “A Christian Challenges New Atheists to Put Up or Shut Up!”

In recent years I have been castigated by friends and foes for making far less alarming statements! At least I am no long alone or in the presence of crazies, complainers, charlatans, and conspiracists. In fact, I am mainstream! Never thought that would happen.

The USA Today article admits that such a damaging, disastrous, and deadly consequence would also be attained by a super solar storm that is in our future. In September of 1859, a solar storm hit North America and Europe (called the Carrington event) and operators of the telegraph system which was the first widespread electrical device were “shocked unconscious, and machines caught on fire.” And I remind you that the telegraph system was like a tin can operation compared to modern electronic systems of computers, phones, airplanes, etc. Such solar storms occur about every 150 years. We are past due.

An article in the Russia & India Report revealed “According to one study, if the United States lost its large power transformers, 40 per cent of the country’s population would be without electrical power for as long as four to 10 years.” The U.S. no longer manufactures large power transformers so they must be ordered from abroad. There is always a one to two year delay (if things go well) before orders are filled. It would take decades to get the power back on!

Political theorist and former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich told a Heritage Foundation group, “It is an enormous catastrophic threat.” Ed Legge of the Edison Electric Institute in Washington who represents utilities said, “We’re taking this seriously” and the danger to the grid “may be much greater than anticipated.” Even Rep. Ed Markey, Democrat of Massachusetts declared, “The electric grid’s vulnerability to cyber and to other attacks is one of the single greatest threats to our national security.” The EMP Commission reported, “One weapon of this kind that went off over Omaha would eliminate most of the electrical production in the United States.”

If America’s cities are destroyed by an Electro-Magnetic Pulse weapon then it could be very ugly for many years. The U.S., Russia, China and North Korea are known to have such a weapon along with the ability to blast it into the atmosphere. Such a device would not kill anyone but would put our nation back in the 1800s. Anything electrical would be destroyed instantly: computers, power lines, landlines and cell phones, gas pumps, ATM machines, street lights, air control systems, military, televisions, radios, automobiles, power stations, water companies, elevators, and everything requiring transistors. Nuclear power plants would not be able to cool the sensitive equipment resulting in a meltdown. Everything would have to be rewired or rebuilt or replaced.

Furthermore, an EMP weapon would have no “return address” so how could the U.S. know whom to hold accountable? Moreover, there would be no way to hold any nation accountable. No plane, missile, or ship could function!

Whether the fuse is lit by the nut in North Korea, the dictator of China or Russia or a Muslim fanatic eager to meet his 72 green-eyed virgins, those responsible for protecting Americans must stop trying to control us and start trying to protect us. Or at least help prepare for what some say is inevitable.

I suggest that U.S. politicians get serious about this threat today and be honest about what is ahead of us. They should be telling us to prepare for disaster: food, water, bomb shelters, escape routes, etc. Peaceful Muslims must also get serious today, and report known terrorists in their circles, vigorously condemn the killers, and wave the American flag as they sing, “I’m a Yankee Doodle Dandy.” But frankly, it may too late to close the barn door since the horses are galloping down the road. We have been soft rather than sensible; weak rather than wise; mild rather than militant; and relaxed rather than resolute. When bombs (nuclear or EMP) explode, all bets are off. A reign of terror may ensue, and the America we know will be gone forever.

Talk show hosts have asked me if my message causes people to panic, and I always reply that I am trying to make people be awake and aware without being alarmed. However, at this time in the crisis, maybe it is time to be alarmed! No, not irresponsible, out of control panic. Just the everyday kind of alarm that makes your blood run hot, your adrenaline flow, your hands sweat profusely, and your mouth as dry as an oil well I invested in.

If an EMP explodes in the atmosphere over the Midwest or a massive solar storm hits then every electronic device will be fried instantaneously. At that time, everyone who has not prepared for disaster will panic. I would like for you to realize that you may have already waited too long to properly prepare, and if you wait much longer, it will be too late to buy gold, guns, and groceries. Everyone will rush for the doors at the same time, and you and your family may be crushed.

The name of the game will be survival, only survival. Forget the job since it will be gone. Your Social Security or pension check? Don’t count on it. Even if taxes could be collected there would be no way to deliver your checks. Protection by local authorities? Probably not. You will be on your own.

The fuse is lit and America and the world are holding their breath.

(Next column: “Suggestions to Prepare for Natural or Muslim-Made Disasters!”)

http://bit.ly/1iMLVfY Watch these 8 minute videos of my lecture at the University of North Dakota: “A Christian Challenges New Atheists to Put Up or Shut Up!”