“The price of inaction is far greater than the cost of making mistakes.”

John Farnam writes about the lessons learned from the San Bernardino terrorist attack

Other than the obvious lesson that being constantly armed is essential in our current age, here are some additional points gleaned from reports on the Islamic terrorist attack in San Bernardino, CA on 2 Dec 15 at the County Public Health Department’s Christmas party.

People at the gathering reporting hearing multiple “popping sounds.” Moments later, a person clad in black, wearing a mask, and bearing a rifle, started shooting at attendees.

(1) Warning is scant! Denial/hesitation is lethal. Always have a plan and exit-strategy in place.

(2) People in motion get hit less often than people who are stationary. So, get in motion instantly. You can decide what to do WHILE you’re moving!

(3) Some victims waited for instructions. They’re still waiting! You must think independently and be courageous enough to act unilaterally, and quickly, upon your own conclusions and judgement. Waiting for/seeking “approval ” or “consensus” will be fatal.

(4) In the San Bernardino attack, a second active murderer followed the first. So, don’t relax too soon! In modern terrorist attacks, it is best to assume the presence of multiple threats.

(5) As I’ve said before, “rescue” is mostly myth. The attack will likely be over long before even the first police arrive, much less the SWAT Team. In the interim, you’re on your own!
Read more here.

Loaning money to killers

Who loaned money to the San Bernardino killers? Reuters reports,

Online lender Prosper recently made a $28,500 loan to Syed Rizwan Farook who, along with his wife, killed 14 people at a holiday party last week in San Bernardino, California, according to a source familiar with the matter.

One of the Reuters government sources said Farook and Malik apparently pursued a scenario previously followed by U.S.-based militants by draining their bank accounts and maxing out credit lines before embarking on what they believe to be a suicide mission, knowing that they would not have to pay off the debts.

Prosper evaluates borrowers for loans, which are originated by third-party bank WebBank. Prosper then sells the loans off to investors.

read more here.