Joel Skousen

Joel M. Skousen is an American conservative political scientist, [ [http://www.joelskousen.com/Philosophy/philosophy.html Philosophy of Law and Government ] ] non-fiction Survivalist author, and retreat consultant that specializes in preparedness topics, particularly survival retreat and fallout shelter design and construction, as well as what he calls "strategic relocation." [ [http://www.joelskousen.com/Strategic/strategic.html Strategic Relocation ] ] Skousen is the founder and chief editor of "World Affairs Brief", [ [http://www.worldaffairsbrief.com/ World Affairs Brief newsletter] ] a weekly news analysis service. He has done architectural and retreat design consulting in both North America and Central America. [ [http://www.joelskousen.com/About/about.html About Joel Skousen ] ]

Skousen is the author of several books including "Essential Principles for the Conservation of Liberty", "Strategic Relocation--North American Guide to Safe Places", "The Secure Home", "Survival Home Manual: Architectural Design, Construction, and Remodeling Of Self-Sufficient Residences and Retreats", and "How to Implement a High Security Shelter in the Home". He also published a booklet titled "10 Packs for Survival", which he has also posted to several web sites. [ [http://www.captaindaves.com/dl-list/dl30-pak.htm The Big List - 10 Packs for Survival ] ]

Skousen designs and consults on hardened retreat homes, often including fallout shelters with HEPA air filtration systems. In the book "Dancing at Armageddon: Survivalism and Chaos in Modern Times" by Richard G. Mitchell, Jr., (2001) Skousen is quoted as stating: "'You never want to make a house look like an obvious fortress. Those who want in can always move up a bigger gun. There is no way you can design a home to withstand RPG (Rocket-propelled grenade) rockets and tanks. I design these homes so you virtually cannot tell inside or out that they are any different from a conventional home.'" [ [http://www.press.uchicago.edu/Misc/Chicago/532445.html Mitchell, Dancing at Armageddon, excerpt ] ]

Because of its low population density and diverse economy, both Skousen [ [http://www.joelskousen.com/About/about.html "About Joel Skousen" at his web site] ] and survivalist writer James Wesley Rawles [ [http://www.survivalblog.com/peakoil.html SurvivalBlog.com ] ] recommend the Intermountain west region of the United States, as a preferred region for relocation and setting up survival retreats.

Skousen was raised in Oregon and later served as a USMC fighter pilot during the Vietnam Era. During the 1980s Skousen was the Chairman of the Conservative National Committee. He was also the Executive Editor of Conservative Digest. [ [http://www.mskousen.com/About/Family/famous.html Mark Skousen's Famous Relatives ] ]

In late 2007, Skousen gained attention when he gave his support to Ron Paul rather than to fellow LDS church member Mitt Romney in the 2008 US presidential campaign, in a widely-circulated YouTube video clip. [ [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lbYxtA5PBXU YouTube - Joel Skousen - Ron Paul Versus Corporate Media] ] After John McCain became the Republican Party's presumptive nominee in early 2008, Skousen also endorsed Pastor Chuck Baldwin of the Constitution Party, "As Ron Paul goes back to Congress to continue the fight there, I believe Chuck Baldwin is the person to continue the fight during this election cycle and beyond." [World Affairs Brief, May 2, 2008.]

Joel Skousen is the older brother of Mark Skousen and the younger brother of Royal Skousen. The three Skousen brothers are the nephews of conservative author and commentator Cleon Skousen. [ [http://www.mskousen.com/About/Family/famous.html Mark Skousen's Famous Relatives ] ]

Books

*"Essential Principles for the Conservation of Liberty", ISBN 1199306614 (1984)

*"The Secure Home", ISBN 1199306720 (May, 1999)

*"Strategic Relocation--North American Guide to Safe Places", ISBN 156861053X (various editions, latest listed is February, 2006)

*"Survival Home Manual: Architectural Design, Construction, and Remodeling Of Self-Sufficient Residences and Retreats", ISBN 1199306396 (1982)

*"How to Implement a High Security Shelter in the Home", ISBN 1199306524 (1998)

ee also

*Retreat (survivalism)
*Survivalism
*Self-sufficiency
*Intentional Community
*Blast shelter
*Fallout shelter
*James Wesley Rawles
*9/11 Truth Movement

References

External links

* [http://www.JoelSkousen.com Skousen's web site]
* [http://www.worldaffairsbrief.com World Affairs Brief] , Joel Skousen's weekly news analysis
* [http://www.captaindaves.com/dl-list/dl30-pak.htm 10 Packs for Survival]
* [http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3589684170354412946 Joel Skousen Bill of Rights Day Speech] , Salt Lake City, Utah. December 15, 2007