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Ready for Life ‘Off the Grid’?: GBTV Launches Reality Show ‘Independence U.S.A.’
The Blaze ^ | 12-13-11 | Scott Baker

Posted on 12/14/2011 5:47:41 PM PST by dynachrome

Concerned that the economy could collapse? Or that a natural disaster could wipe out our infrastructure? So is Frank, and he is doing something about it! Believing that America has become too reliant on a crumbling foundation, Frank is preparing his family for life “off the grid,” admiring the way people lived in the 19th century. Like them, he longs to become completely independent. So he is embarking on one project at a time hoping to prepare his family for the worst, such as building a car that runs on wood in case gasoline supplies are interrupted, becoming expert hunters when grocery stores are no longer in existence, and making his own alcohol for barter when the dollar collapses. Frank does it all with determination, intelligence, and good humor. He’ll need all that and more, as he attempts to motivate a family that neither shares his fervor nor wishes to sacrifice the comforts and conveniences of 21st century life. In the series premiere- “A Hunting We Will Go”- we meet the Belcastro’s as they set out on a journey to be a self-sufficient family. Frank wants the family to be able to hunt and kill their own food but not every one is on board. Starting with making their own weapons Frank and his son Adam really learn an appreciation for the hunt but wonder if they will succeed.

(Excerpt) Read more at theblaze.com ...


TOPICS: Chit/Chat; Miscellaneous; Society; TV/Movies
KEYWORDS: beck; gbtv; glennbeck; glennbecktv; offgrid; offgridliving; offthegrid; prepperping; prepping; selfreliance; survivalism; survivalping
Could be interesting and have some good prepping tips.
1 posted on 12/14/2011 5:47:50 PM PST by dynachrome
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To: dynachrome

It’s about time a generation came along to develop economically viable independence from the grid.


2 posted on 12/14/2011 5:52:03 PM PST by Fester Chugabrew (minds change)
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To: dynachrome

“Concerned that the economy could collapse?”

Preparing for it in fact.


3 posted on 12/14/2011 5:52:35 PM PST by Grunthor (We dont LOVE Newt - heck we barely even like him. He's just the best of a rotten bunch)
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To: Fester Chugabrew

“Be prepared” as some homophobic, racist organiztion says./s


4 posted on 12/14/2011 5:54:43 PM PST by dynachrome ("Our forefathers didn't bury their guns. They buried those that tried to take them.")
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To: dynachrome

Does not understand the idea of clan, tribe, or community. A bigger gang thrives at the expense of individuals. It’s why we have a nation.


5 posted on 12/14/2011 5:55:56 PM PST by LoneRangerMassachusetts (The meek shall not inherit the Earth)
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To: dynachrome

Yeah I’d like to see a good prepper show that doesn’t ridicule preppers as crazy conspiracy theorists.

There was a short lived Off the grid type show on discovery for a while but it was kind of ridiculous. It was cool that they could power a truck with a woodstove but not really all that useful in an emergency.


6 posted on 12/14/2011 5:56:44 PM PST by cripplecreek (Stand with courage or shut up and do as you're told.)
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To: cripplecreek

“could power a truck with a woodstove”

Most reality shows hype conflict for ratings. We’ll see if Beck does that.


7 posted on 12/14/2011 5:59:00 PM PST by dynachrome ("Our forefathers didn't bury their guns. They buried those that tried to take them.")
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To: dynachrome
IMO getting off the grid means eing non existent to the U.S. government. Especially the I.R.S.

Yes, I hate them that much.

8 posted on 12/14/2011 6:02:17 PM PST by unixfox (Abolish Slavery, Repeal The 16th Amendment!)
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To: dynachrome

HOORAY Scott Baker at theblaze! OUTSTANDING!

Off The Grid BUMP! BE PREPARED BUMP!


9 posted on 12/14/2011 6:10:41 PM PST by PGalt
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To: cripplecreek
It was cool that they could power a truck with a woodstove but not really all that useful in an emergency.

You do realize that woodgas was used extensively in Britain during WWII, and our own government has a publication on doing exactly that, to run a tractor or a truck?

You can look on Google Books to get the US publication that shows you how to build one. Those Google Books are free.

/johnny

10 posted on 12/14/2011 6:10:59 PM PST by JRandomFreeper (gone Galt)
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To: JRandomFreeper

It might be worth the time for a tractor but I can’t see wasting the time on a truck when a horse and wagon are a reliable alternative.


11 posted on 12/14/2011 6:15:28 PM PST by cripplecreek (Stand with courage or shut up and do as you're told.)
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To: Kartographer

Of interest to your list?


12 posted on 12/14/2011 6:15:55 PM PST by dynachrome ("Our forefathers didn't bury their guns. They buried those that tried to take them.")
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To: appalachian_dweller; OldPossum; DuncanWaring; VirginiaMom; CodeToad; goosie; kalee; ...

Prepper’s Ping!


13 posted on 12/14/2011 6:16:55 PM PST by Kartographer ("We mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor.")
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To: cripplecreek

If you don’t feed the horse for a week, it dies. If you don’t feed the wood-gas truck for a week, it just takes a little longer to start.


14 posted on 12/14/2011 6:19:54 PM PST by wrench
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To: dynachrome

Eff BeckTard .....


15 posted on 12/14/2011 6:22:39 PM PST by Vendome (Don't take life so seriously, you won't live through it anyway)
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To: cripplecreek
Here is a link to the book. If the link doesn't work, Google Construction of a Simplified Wood Gas Generator for Fueling Internal Combusion Engines in a Petroleum Emergency.... :) Pretty easy to figure it was written on government contract...

/johnny

16 posted on 12/14/2011 6:23:01 PM PST by JRandomFreeper (gone Galt)
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To: cripplecreek

17 posted on 12/14/2011 6:24:09 PM PST by bigbob
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To: cripplecreek
I have neither horse nor wagon. And want neither. A horse is a hole in the pasture that eats time and treasure.

I can, in a pinch, get a truck without a computer.

Your mileage may vary.

/johnny

18 posted on 12/14/2011 6:25:32 PM PST by JRandomFreeper (gone Galt)
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To: dynachrome

screw beck. every time you click on his site it helps the Mormon cult.


19 posted on 12/14/2011 6:28:58 PM PST by Hammerhead
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To: dynachrome

Glen Beck is unstable, something is very wrong with this boy :-(

From Beck you get maybe 90% good sense and the rest is embarrassing crap.... it’s just sad and odd.


20 posted on 12/14/2011 6:32:28 PM PST by Bobalu (even Jesus knew the poor would always be with us)
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To: dynachrome

I’m pretty far along on being set but that “make your own alcohol” caught my eye.

Now it’s on the to-do list. Don’t tell the revenooers.


21 posted on 12/14/2011 6:41:10 PM PST by SnuffaBolshevik (In a tornado, even turkeys can fly.)
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To: dynachrome
The solar voltaic system at my off grid SHTF retreat was just certified this week and is up and running.

PS: Never use ammo as a barter item!


22 posted on 12/14/2011 6:45:43 PM PST by I see my hands (The old sod ne'er shall be forgot.)
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To: I see my hands

Our solar system should be certified and producing by the end of next week. They trenched and placed wire to the house, outbuildings, and island in the pond today. Inverters are in and framework is ready for the panels. Exciting.


23 posted on 12/14/2011 6:51:57 PM PST by JustaDumbBlonde (Don't wish doom on your enemies. Plan it.)
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To: dynachrome

Already prepared. Sister-in-law and husband aren’t and they live 5 hours hard drive, some in heavy traffic, away. Worry about them.


24 posted on 12/14/2011 7:14:59 PM PST by Marcella (Newt will smash Hussein in debates. Newt needs money.)
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To: JustaDumbBlonde
"exciting"

And expensive! Congratulations. Are you truly off grid? How much do you rely on propane?


25 posted on 12/14/2011 7:26:02 PM PST by I see my hands (The old sod ne'er shall be forgot.)
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To: cripplecreek
I just looked at some of those episodes and have to admit some of it was goofy and other parts actually dangerous to try. I don't think it could keep my attention very long if Beck's show is going to resemble that.

Most people don't have the availability of items nor the places to explore all that stuff he does....let alone the skill required to at least understand what you're doing.

I think this show is more for people who are already somewhat self-sufficient..with land and or property they can adapt to whatever off the grid style they might choose to do.

26 posted on 12/14/2011 7:29:35 PM PST by caww
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To: dynachrome

GBTV can’t fail fast enough for me. Beck is a loon.


27 posted on 12/14/2011 8:07:40 PM PST by faucetman
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To: I see my hands
We are still going to be wired into the grid for power at night because the battery array was prohibitively expensive. We will, however, be able to go on as usual in the event of a power outage because when the required breaker blows, we will start a generator attached to the system which will act as the incoming power that the solar needs to sense to operate. (I apologize for that long, tortured sentence)

We do not currently have any propane in the house, but I do heat my little donkey barn with propane. Not required, but it makes me feel better when my critters are warm.

Although we have central heating, we primarily heat the house with wood and corn ... we cut wood on our own property and grow the corn.

Here was some of the trenching today. This shot from the corner of the house, down the yard, across the pond and to the equipment shed where the solar is being installed.

Photobucket

28 posted on 12/14/2011 8:19:38 PM PST by JustaDumbBlonde (Don't wish doom on your enemies. Plan it.)
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To: JRandomFreeper

I know someone that can run a generator with a gasifier, that can run his whole house. And it runs his truck.


29 posted on 12/14/2011 9:02:19 PM PST by anbonjo
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To: faucetman

You’re a moron!


30 posted on 12/14/2011 9:02:26 PM PST by anbonjo
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To: faucetman
"GBTV can’t fail fast enough for me."

Wishing failure on a guy working hard and taking risks is pretty pitiful. He is employing quite a few people too.

31 posted on 12/14/2011 9:33:58 PM PST by JustaDumbBlonde (Don't wish doom on your enemies. Plan it.)
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To: JustaDumbBlonde
Grid tied.. that's not a bad thing. But as you know no matter how much fuel you have it will run out.

I only asked about the propane because I've found that going off grid means to most people going on propane

PS: You have a serene spread. Beautiful too. Here is a pic of some of my front yard. Much more difficult to trench, lol.

PS: I see relative to some you show the proclivities of a leftist thug:

JUST KIDDING!


32 posted on 12/14/2011 9:51:27 PM PST by I see my hands (The old sod ne'er shall be forgot.)
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To: cripplecreek

Horses die. They require daily maintenance and require removal of lots of waste products. Also need lots of quality hay. Talk to Texas folks about problems of trying to get hay for their horses now.

Also many roads are not graded well for horse pulled wagons. Lots of relatively steep hills and valleys.


33 posted on 12/14/2011 10:51:13 PM PST by Secret Agent Man (I'd like to tell you, but then I'd have to kill you.)
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To: dynachrome

This is not a new show. GBTV bought the rights to a show called “Apocalypse, PA” . The show stunk so bad on History Channel it got pulled mid season.


34 posted on 12/15/2011 4:32:08 AM PST by JerseyHighlander
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To: JerseyHighlander

“not a new show”

Dang. I did see Apocalypse PA and it was just hype.


35 posted on 12/15/2011 6:20:19 AM PST by dynachrome ("Our forefathers didn't bury their guns. They buried those that tried to take them.")
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To: dynachrome
Failing to prep is prepping to fail.

Anyone who is not already doing what this guy is doing has their head in the sand.

36 posted on 12/15/2011 8:47:43 AM PST by teenyelliott (Obama warned if he loses the election it could herald a new, painful era of self-reliance)
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To: unixfox

Amen brother.


37 posted on 12/15/2011 8:52:45 AM PST by teenyelliott (Obama warned if he loses the election it could herald a new, painful era of self-reliance)
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To: I see my hands

THAT must be why I agree with you most of the time! Your front yard is beautiful ... totally different than the trees and bayous here!


38 posted on 12/15/2011 8:56:20 AM PST by JustaDumbBlonde (Don't wish doom on your enemies. Plan it.)
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To: cripplecreek

“The Colony”?


39 posted on 12/20/2011 5:11:44 AM PST by tbw2
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