Joel M. Skousen is an American conservative political commentator^[1] 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."^[2] Skousen is the founder and chief editor of World Affairs Brief,^[3] a weekly news analysis service. He has done architectural and retreat design consulting in both North America and Central America.^[4]

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.^[5]

Skousen designs and consults on hardened retreat homes^[6], 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 was quoted: "'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.'"^[7]

Because of its low population density and diverse economy, both Skousen^[8] and survivalist writer James Wesley Rawles ^[9] 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.^[10]

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.^[11] 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."^[12]

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.^[10]

[edit] Books

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

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

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

• The Secure Home, ISBN 1199306720 (May, 1999)

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

[edit] Quotes

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• Many Christians think it is wonderful anytime government officials mention God or quote from the Bible. I take strong exception, and not because I believe it is improper for government officials to appeal to God. I simply object to dropping the name of God or quoting scripture to cover for evil, and otherwise convince naive troops and Christians in general that an evil cause is just.^[13]

• More than ever, I still consider the nuclear attack on America as inevitable, both because the real axis of evil (Russia and China) are still building for that attack, and because our own government is controlled by those intent upon destroying US sovereignty and delivering our nation over to a socialist New World Order (NWO). [2006]^[14]

• The one thing you can learn from the liberal and controlled media, including arch liberal newspapers like the Washington Post, NY Times, and LA Times, is the direction in which the conspiracy against liberty is going. I spend about a third of my time watching what the opposition does. When they start uniformly promoting certain issues in all the liberal journals (global warming, smart growth, gun control, etc.), it is obvious that there is some coordination going on. But remember, you can only learn to see through the selectively filtered news dispensed by the establishment media if you have other sources that feed you the missing pieces.^[15]

• In terms of unity, we are at a real disadvantage up against the left. It only takes one thing in common for “liberals” to unite. It only takes one difference of opinion for conservatives to divide.^[16]

[edit] See also

• Self-sufficiency
• Intentional Community
• Blast shelter

United States Marine Corps portal

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Skousen's web site
• World Affairs Brief, Joel Skousen's weekly news analysis
• 10 Packs for Survival
• Joel Skousen Bill of Rights Day Speech, Salt Lake City, Utah. December 15, 2007