L.C. Champlin's Blog

June 20, 2018

Book Review: The America We Deserve by Donald J Trump

[image error]


Donald J Trump wrote this book in 2000 when he was about to run as a Reform party candidate for presidency. This is before 9/11, before the leftist recession, before Obama… Yet he predicts with startling accuracy such things as the economic decline and increase in terror attacks, especially from Osama Bin Laden.


He lays out the problems in areas of society and government. Then he describes his common-sense solutions that are not based in more laws, but in more freedom. He supports wholeheartedly the idea that the free market and civilians are the keys to a successful country. Now, he has changed his stance on some things, such as his support for abortion (he supported late term until he asked doctors how it was performed, then thought better of his support), support for an “assault rifle ban,” and having Oprah for VP he’s thankfully re thought. But what’s wonderful is that he’s changed for the better, going more toward the conservative side.


Throughout the book, President Trump – saying that feels so good! – uses his unique, engaging style to prove exactly why he would be a good president. Read this book if you doubt him, or if you haven’t read the economic numbers lately. His love for this country really comes through in this work.


Check out my video for more detail. And go grab a copy of The America We Deserve.


 


 •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on June 20, 2018 11:34

June 15, 2018

Why I Call the Government Incompetent

When large sums of money are being thrown around, it’s tempting to fall into the “that’s not so much” trap. For instance, if the government, which is trillions in debt, wastes $100k, we shrug. But think about how much that is. It’s years and years of your tax dollars. They took the money out of your check before you ever saw it, and now they’re essentially setting it on fire in the parking lot. Does that put this in perspective?


Recently I received a letter from the Census Bureau. It provided me with a lanyard and a request that I fill out a non mandatory survey. Really? You waste my money; you’re not wasting my time, too.


See, the survey was for nurses. It makes no sense, because the states govern nursing practice, not the Feds. The states already carry out surveys.


Watch the video and see my calculation of just how much at the absolute minimum the gov wasted.


 •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on June 15, 2018 11:42

Why Valuing Life is Critical

Nowadays we hear a lot about respecting people’s rights. But before I can do that, I have to value life. My respect for life means I will treat you with dignity. Not because the law tells me to, but because I value your existence. If I don’t, then my freedoms become license. For instance, if I don’t value your life, I’d yell “fire” in a crowded theater and not care what happened. Because I do value life, I use my freedoms with responsibility.


But why value life? Because Christ Jesus values our lives. He died for us, which is why we love Him and each other. Christianity is the only faith that truly gives value to life. There is no love in Islam. There is no love in Hinduism, which is focused in the caste system. Only Christianity instills a respect for life in its followers, and with it a hope that is not what the World gives.


As one of our Founders said, the less religion (meaning Christianity) there is in a society, the more laws it will need. And laws never prevent crime, they only punish it.


 


 •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on June 15, 2018 11:31

June 9, 2018

Why “Winning the Battle” in Life isn’t What You Think

We’ve all heard the line, “They lost their battle with [some terminal disease].” But that’s not accurate. We all die, so there’s no “losing” simply by dying. Losing the battle is actually losing hope. Despair is so prevalent in our Godless society, that it’s the rule rather than the exception.


The biggest way to lose the battle with despair? Suicide. Recently Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain took their lives, It’s a tragedy when life ends at the hand of the possessor.


There’s another death, or soon will be, we have to acknowledge. Charles Krauthammer announced recently that his cancer has returned. It is aggressive. He has weeks to live. He stated in a beautiful letter, though, that he has lived the life he wanted, and lived it to the full. Did you know he’s a medical doctor from Harvard? Yes. He’s also a paraplegic and has been for the decades after his diving accident.


He has won his battle in life.


In the next post, I’ll discuss why valuing life is critical to our society.


 •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on June 09, 2018 11:17

May 29, 2018

Book Review: George Washington’s Secret Six: The Spy Ring that Saved the American Revolution, by Brian Kilmeade and Don Yaeger





As you may or may not know, my next book series – a dystopian action-adventure – will have a lot of references to President George Washington and the American Revolution. While doing research for it, I picked up this book. If you didn’t know, Brian Kilmeade also wrote Andrew Jackson and the Miracle of New Orleans: The Battle That Shaped America’s Destiny. It’s about Andrew Jackson during the War of 1812. Kilmeade is on Fox and Friends and also hosts the radio show The Brian Kilmeade Show.


I don’t know how good your history curriculum was in school, but it’s always good to improve your knowledge.


During the Revolution, New York City was held by the British for most of the war. It was a strategically and economically valuable port. America didn’t have a localized capital that the British could take, so the invaders instead occupied New York. There were a number of Patriots there, but many left.


George Washington knew of the strategic importance of the city. He knew also that he needed spies. You might know of Nathan Hale, who attempted to spy, but ended up having his cover blown and then dying at the end of a British noose.


This book tells of six American Heroes, led by Benjamin Tallmadge, an extremely talented young officer in the Colonial Army. The first of the group was Abraham Woodhull. He was not at all the James-Bond type. He really wanted to stay to himself. He was also a Long Islander with business and family excuses to travel to Manhattan.


Also in this group was Robert Townsend, who took over for Woodhull’s job for a large part, since Robert Townsend was a merchant and a reporter in the city itself.


Austin Roe was a tavern keeper who could sniff around. Caleb Brewster was a daredevil longshoreman who ferried messages across from Connecticut and New York.


James Rivington owned a coffee house and a printing shop. He was at first a Loyalist, and his newspaper supported the British. After he came back from Britain, he was recruited into the spy ring. His paper still supported the British, but only as a cover.


Last but not least was an unnamed lady of importance, who is referred to as agent 355 and who could “outwit them all.” It’s believed she was captured and may have died aboard one of the British prison ships. Over 8,000 Americans starved to death or died of disease in the absolutely horrendous conditions on the ships.


This book is well written and engaging. At 220 pages, it’s a quick read. If you’d like to improve your knowledge of Revolutionary history and get to know the great heroes of our country, pick up this book.





 

 •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on May 29, 2018 13:52

Why We Need More Conservative Voices

[image error]



Forty or fifty years ago, mainstream sources like ABC, NBC, and the New York Times dominated TV, the airwaves, and print media. Nowadays, with the advent of the internet and talk radio, there have been a lot more conservative voices joining the fray. You can argue that it started with Rush Limbaugh over thirty years ago. Others have joined since then, like Laura Ingrahm, Sean Hannity, and Mark Levin.


When Fox News burst onto the scene, TV gained a powerful player on the side of conservatives.


In recent years, younger voices have entered the picture. People like Milo Yiannopoulos, Steven Crowder, and Ben Shapiro. They complement media outlets such as Breitbart, Dangerous, CRTV, and the Daily Wire.


Even so, there are still far more media sources on the Left preaching the dogma of thinly veiled socialism and communism. They’re loud, proud, and supported by powerful backers. They will claim they are news media, but they’ve long since given up actually reporting the news. It’s actually debatable that the so-called news has ever really reported the news unbiased. For instance, during the American Revolution, newspapers often took a political stance, be it Loyalist or Patriot.


It seems due to the pervasiveness and outspokenness of the Left that they’re in the majority. The election of Donald Trump proves they are not. As Glenn Beck long ago said, we, the conservative Right citizens, surround them. This is why I believe it is important for more people to join in voicing their conservative opinions. You don’t have to have a radio program, podcast, or TV show. You can make your voice heard by talking to your friends, posting on your social media, and of course voting.


But will we on the Right become an echo chamber, like the Left has? Have we already? If you think so, you haven’t been paying attention. The Right is divided. Everybody has issues with everybody else, to a certain point. This is good when it comes to diversity of opinions. It’s bad, though, when it allows the Left to systematically take down conservative voices, like they did with Bill O’Reilly and tried to do with Hannity. My views won’t be totally in step with other conservative voices. I agree with most of what the conservative commentators say, but we have our differences. Thus, I don’t think we will ever face the problem of a Right-wing echo chamber.


I don’t have a shtick. I’m not a broadcasting expert with 30-some years of experience. I’m not a constitutional lawyer. I don’t have a TV show. I’m not hot and gay. But I am a conservative, I have opinions, and I’m going to do my best to support my country by standing up and speaking without fear.




 

 •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on May 29, 2018 12:17

March 21, 2018

5 Reasons Why Your Bug-Out Bag Sucks

[image error]

You spent hours packing you bug-out bag. You think you’re set for the apocalypse. You’re dead wrong.


1. You’re going to run out of water

You have one bottle of water. You have five water-purifying tabs but can’t remember how much water to use them with. You meant to get a Life Straw but didn’t. And you’re not sure where you’ll get water to purify in the first place.





2. You’re going to run out of food

You brought food you don’t like. Even if you choke it down, you didn’t bring enough. It’s also past its expiration date and might give you botulism.


[image error]
3. You forgot that weather and seasons change

You packed in the summer, so you have shorts and a T shirt. Maybe you have jeans and a jacket. It’s the dead of winter. And your sleeping bag isn’t raged for


[image error] 4. You tried to pack for all situations

Your bag is the size of your car because you tried to pack for everything from a dirty bomb to an extended stay in the woods. And for that matter, do you even know how to use that compass you packed?


 


5. You didn’t take your location into account

You packed to survive in the woods. You live in downtown. Or the American Southwest.


BONUS – You thought your BOB would save you

Let’s face it: no matter how great your BOB is, it’s not an off-grid hideout in a can. It’s also not an INCH (I’m Never Coming Home) bag.


Most importantly, it’s not going to magically give you the soft (talking, observing, deescalating) skills or hard (combat, tactics) skills necessary to navigate and survive a SHTF scenario. Your brain is your most important tool. Learn wilderness and urban survival skills now before you need them. Because when the the SHTF, it’s too late.


No one can tell you what items you should have in your bag. They can suggest them, but every bag is different depending on your situation. So before you go buy some $300 premade bug-out bag or try to get all 101 items on that super-duper BOB list, use common sense.


Don’t forget to plan for the situation you’re most likely to face. For instance, if you live in AZ, you’re not going to stock up like you expected a hurricane. If you live in the city, you probably won’t be bugging out to the wilderness.


Think big-picture. What will the local and global situation be in a SHTF scenario (hint: it’s different for each disaster!) and how will it affect you?


And the 1 million dollar question:


What will cause you to bug out rather than shelter in place?
Bottom Line:
We can’t prepare for everything, but we can have a good foundation. Know your area, your family, your neighbors, and most importantly, know thyself.
 •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on March 21, 2018 10:01

March 15, 2018

Check out the review and guest post!

Be a sport and drop by Lisa’s blog to check out her excellent review and my guest post on the songs I use in my chapter headers.
Behold Darkness (Unclean Evolution, Book 1) – a Review
The Power of Music – Guest Post by LC Champlin

 

 •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on March 15, 2018 09:28

February 16, 2018

Ebook Sales

Lose the newsletter with all those ebook goodies? Never fear, it’s all here. Updated monthly.

[image error]
99c Books – Feb 2018

19 – 25 February


Books for just 99c on Kindle.



[image error]
Kindle Unlimited – Feb 2018

February


A host of KU books from sci fi and fantasy genres.



[image error]
Thriller Giveaway

16th February, 2018 → 16th March, 2018


Come for the thrillers. Stay for the action.



[image error]
Thrilling Action Extravaganza

15th February, 2018 → 15th March, 2018


Are you into heart-racing, spine-tingling, edge of your seat, page-turning action and thrillers? Well, this is the giveaway for you! Explosions, car chases, shootouts, and heart-pounding suspense, this giveaway has it all! Trust me, you don’t want to miss out.


There is also a chance to win a $50 Amazon Gift Card along with this giveaway!



[image error]
Electric Dreams – Science Fiction Giveaway

12th February, 2018 → 13th March, 2018


Looking for a new science fiction novel to read? Discover new worlds – happy reading!



[image error]
Horror and Post-Apocalyptic Giveaway


February


Get your hands on any of these amazing titles below, absolutely FREE until 28th february!


And be sure to keep an eye out every month as we collect the biggest and the best free titles from the hottest authors on the circuit.





 

 •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on February 16, 2018 10:18

January 26, 2018

Link Roundup: Drone Edition

[image error]



In Wolves of the Apocalypse, both good (relatively) guys and bad guys use drones to gain an advantage. Real life is no different. Send in the drones!

Army Drone Wish List: Lighter, Deadlier, Survivable

The Army is looking at upgrading its fleets of unmanned systems, and while acknowledging that the budget for such overhauls is limited, two of the service’s top unmanned systems officials made it clear they have a wish list.



He also said he’d be interested in experimenting with putting electronic warfare technologies onto the UAV fleets, but noted that would require major studies to look into the pros and cons of adding such technology onto various unmanned vehicles.


These aren’t armies of droids you see in Star Wars, but they’re still fearsome. War is hell, and it’s about to host the rise of the machines.




New York State Police to start using drones

The program is launching sometime this month with four drones, one of which will be used by the State Police right here in Western New York. The other three will go to State Police in Central New York, the Hudson River area, and the Capital region.


By April 2018, an additional 14 aerial drones will be deployed throughout the state.


More surveillance? Sure, why not, NYC. I can see where this would be helpful for keeping the ERTs safe, but I get nervous whenever government gets more eyes in the sky.



Drone swarm tactics get tryout for infantry to use in urban battlespace



The autonomous micro-drones completed multiple missions, including adaptive formation flying, collective decision-making and self-healing, according to the Defense Department release.








A video display shows the cluster or swarm find a target, circle within seconds and then converge on the target simultaneously and circle it at a 100-meter radius orbit.





If this doesn’t make a chill go down your spine, then picture a swarm of flying rats attacking you. There, feel it now?



‘No silver bullet’: Pentagon struggles to defeat drones in cat-and-mouse game

According to a Defense Department organization tasked with combating the threat of unmanned aircraft systems, there is no single solution for every drone problem that friendly forces face when fighting the Islamic State group or any other enemy who can acquire cheap, commercially available drones.


Everything from nets to signal jamming, the arms race between drone users and drone targets continues.



Watch: Eagle Has Enough of Drone, Shows Who’s Really Master of the Skies

Here’s a fact of life you may not know: drones and eagles do not have a good relationship. In fact, more often than not, they have a really, really, really bad one.


Maybe the military should hire on some falconers for drone defense?



Starting off small: Army grapples with bringing robotics into fold

In executing the Army’s robotics and autonomous systems strategy born out of ARCIC and Training and Doctrine Command a year ago, the service will likely have a good idea in just a few years on how it will use robotics to decrease the soldier load and prevent battlefield surprise by being able to see over the next hilltop, Dyess explained. He noted that robots will continue to provide capabilities that are widely prevalent in operations such as bomb disposal.


Technology changes the way war is fought, won, and lost. Sadly, militaries around he world are often slow to evolve. In WWI, countries with 2oth century tech were still using 19th century tactics and strategies. This is a small step in the right direction, at least.

 •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on January 26, 2018 10:19