Michael Ruppert facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Michael C. Ruppert
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Michael Craig Ruppert
February 3, 1951 Washington, D.C., US
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| Died | April 13, 2014 (aged 63) |
| Other names | Tracker of Truth |
| Education | B.A., UCLA, 1973 |
| Occupation | Investigative journalist Publisher Talk show host LAPD Police officer |
| Employer | Los Angeles Police Department (1973–1978) |
| Known for | Whistleblower and author of Crossing The Rubicon |
Michael Craig Ruppert (born February 3, 1951 – died April 13, 2014) was an American writer and musician. He was also a Los Angeles Police Department officer, an investigative journalist, and a political activist. He was well-known for talking about "peak oil", which is the idea that oil production will eventually reach its highest point and then start to decline. His famous 2004 book, Crossing The Rubicon: The Decline of the American Empire at the End of the Age of Oil, was about this topic.
From 1999 to 2006, Ruppert created and published From The Wilderness. This was a newsletter and website that covered many subjects. These included international politics, the CIA, peak oil, and civil liberties. It also discussed economics, corruption, and ideas about the 9/11 attacks. About 22,000 people subscribed to it.
Ruppert was also the main subject of a 2009 documentary film called Collapse. This movie was based on his book A Presidential Energy Policy. The New York Times called the film a "critics pick." He led Collapse Network, Inc. from 2010 until he left in 2012. He also hosted a radio show called The Lifeboat Hour until he passed away in 2014.
In 2014, Vice magazine featured Ruppert in a six-part series. It was titled Apocalypse, Man.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Michael Ruppert was born on February 3, 1951, in Washington, D.C.. He shared that his father, Ernest Charles Edward Ruppert III, was a pilot in the US Air Force during World War II. Later, his father worked for Martin Marietta, helping to connect the company with the CIA and the Air Force.
Ruppert also said that his mother, Madelyn, worked for the National Security Agency. She helped to understand secret messages, including Soviet codes, to track their nuclear scientists.
His family moved many times, living in seven different states. They eventually settled in Los Angeles. Michael went to Venice High School there and graduated in 1969. He then attended UCLA, where he earned a degree in Political Science in 1973. Ruppert mentioned that during his last year at college, he applied for a job with the CIA. He was offered the position but decided to join the Los Angeles Police Department instead.
Time as a Police Officer
Michael Ruppert joined the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) in 1973. He worked as a police officer for about five years. He left the police force in November 1978.
Becoming an Investigative Journalist
After leaving the police department, Michael Ruppert became an investigative journalist. He started a publication called From The Wilderness. This publication aimed to uncover and report on government corruption.
Ruppert wrote the book Crossing The Rubicon: The Decline of the American Empire at the End of the Age of Oil. It was published in September 2004. In this book, Ruppert suggested that important figures like Vice President Dick Cheney and the US government knew about and worked with those involved in the 9/11 attacks.
He also correctly predicted the 2008 financial crisis in the United States. He made this prediction three years before it actually happened.
From The Wilderness Newsletter
From The Wilderness was a newsletter published by a company called From The Wilderness Publications. It was active from 1998 to 2006. The newsletter focused on political and government issues. It was published eleven times a year, and weekly updates were available online.
The end of From The Wilderness was announced on its website on November 7, 2006. Ruppert explained that his health issues, problems with their online store, and other difficulties led to its closure. He also mentioned that he was moving to Venezuela. After the publication closed, the company was sued for not paying rent on its office space in Ashland, Oregon.
Later that year, Ruppert traveled to Toronto, Canada, for medical treatment. A statement was posted on the From The Wilderness website on November 26, 2006. It said that he was done with investigative journalism and public speaking forever. He wanted to leave public life.
The Collapse Documentary and Network
Michael Ruppert and his ideas about peak oil were featured in the 2009 documentary film Collapse. The movie was based on his book A Presidential Energy Policy. The New York Times praised the film. His book, Confronting Collapse: The Crisis of Energy and Money in a Post Peak Oil World, came out in December 2009.
What is Peak Oil?
Peak oil is a concept based on M. King Hubbert's theory. It describes the point in time when the maximum amount of oil is being taken out of the ground. After this point, the rate of oil production is expected to start going down. This idea comes from watching how oil production in different oil fields goes up, reaches a peak, and then declines over time.
In early 2010, Ruppert started the Collapse Network. His goal was to help build strong communities around the world. In 2011, he announced on his radio show, Lifeboat Hour, that he was moving to Sonoma County, California. He believed this area would be safer if society faced major problems. He left the Collapse Network in May 2012. He handed it over to a friend and former colleague, Jenna Orkin. Ruppert still contributed to the Collapse Network's news from time to time.
Music and Later Life
After leaving CollapseNet, Ruppert moved to Crestone, Colorado. He became interested in Native American and indigenous teachings. He even adopted the name "Tracker of Truth." He also spent more time on music, recording with a band called New White ... The band was described as a "downtempo acoustic rock outfit."
His Passing
On April 13, 2014, Michael Ruppert was found dead at his home. His home was located in Napa County, just outside the city of Calistoga, California.
