Joel Skousen | |
|---|---|
 Skousen in 2020 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1946-09-22)September 22, 1946 (age 79) |
| Nationality | American |
| Political party | Constitution |
| Relatives | W. Cleon Skousen (Uncle) Mark Skousen (Brother) Royal Skousen (Brother) |
| Education | Brigham Young University |
| Occupation | Survivalist, Author, Consultant |
| Website | www |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States |
Joel M. Skousen (/ˈskaʊzən/; born September 22, 1946) is an American author of books onsurvivalism and was a candidate in the2024 United States presidential election for theConstitution Party.[1]
Skousen, born inSan Diego and raised inOregon, served as aUSMCfighter pilot during theVietnam War. During the 1980s, Skousen was the chairman of the Conservative National Committee. He was also the executive editor ofConservative Digest.[2]
Skousen is the founder and chief editor ofWorld Affairs Brief,[3] a weekly news-analysis service. Some of Skousen's views are controversial. He made the case that theFall of Communism was, also as claimed by KGB defectorAnatoliy Golitsyn, a "carefully crafted deception," meant to gain Western aid and technology transfers that would eventually end in a resurgence of the Russian threat. In his weekly briefings, Skousen has also written extensively about the evidence of conspiracy by government to cover up its own involvement in numerous black operations such as theAssassination of John F. Kennedy, theOklahoma City bombing,TWA 800 and theSeptember 11 attacks. He is particularly a harsh critic of what he calls the "phonywar on terror" used to conjure up justification for continual foreign intervention and the diminution of American constitutional rights; he is also very critical ofglobalism,communism, and the U.S.interventionist foreign policy.[4]
Skousen has written several books. includingEssential 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, andHow to Implement a High Security Shelter in the Home. He also published a booklet titled10 Packs for Survival, which he has also posted to several websites.[5]
Skousen designs and consults on hardened retreat homes,[6] often includingfallout shelters withHEPA air filtration systems. He has offered consultation in bothNorth andCentral America regarding architectural and retreat design.[7] In the bookDancing 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.'"[8]
Because of its low population density and diverse economy, Skousen[9] recommends theIntermountain West region of theUnited States, as a preferred region for relocation and setting upsurvival retreats.
In late 2007, Skousen gave his support toRon Paul, rather than to fellowLDS church memberMitt Romney, in the2008 U.S. presidential campaign, in a widely circulated YouTube video clip.[10] AfterJohn McCain became theRepublican Party's presumptive nominee in early 2008, Skousen also endorsedChuck Baldwin of theConstitution Party.[11]
He announced his candidacy for President of the United States under the Constitution Party in 2024.[1] Skousen lost the2024 Constitution National Convention toRandall Terry, an anti-abortion activist. Aside from the presidential nomination, much of the debate at the convention focused on an ultimately defeated amendment by Skousen to remove references to God from the party platform.[12]
Joel Skousen is the older brother ofMark Skousen and the younger brother ofRoyal Skousen. The three Skousen brothers are the nephews of conservative author and commentatorW. Cleon Skousen.[2]
In March 2013, Skousen walked away with just slight injuries from the crash of hisGlasair kit plane, in a forced rough field landing, following a fuel system failure.[13] The crash landing occurred nearSpanish Fork, Utah.
Skousen lives inOrem, Utah.[14]
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