This weekly column is a collection of short snippets: responses to posted articles, practical self-sufficiency items, how-tos, lessons learned, tips and tricks, and news items — both from readers and from SurvivalBlog’s editors. Note that we may select some long e-mails for posting as separate letters.
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L.R. (a close friend of mine) recommended this thought-provoking essay: Lovers of Truth and Lovers of Lies: Seeing new lessons for today in Mel Gibson’s iconic portrayal of ‘The Patriot’.
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The ultimate “down the memory hole” irony? Amazon Secretly Removes “1984” From the Kindle.
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Reader C.B. sent this: Watch: Bald eagle flies with Canadian goose clutched in talons.
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JMG sent this disturbing news: BARR: Biden’s ‘Infrastructure’ Bill Contains Backdoor ‘Kill Switch’ For Cars
“Buried deep within the massive infrastructure legislation recently signed by President Joe Biden is a little-noticed “safety” measure that will take effect in five years. Marketed to Congress as a benign tool to help prevent drunk driving, the measure will mandate that automobile manufacturers build into every car what amounts to a ‘vehicle kill switch.’”
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Biden Opens Door to China Sabotage in North Dakota.
SaraSue sent this snippet:
“I’ve learned so much having a dairy cow this year. My Christmas present to myself was an additional milk cow with calf – a Guernsey this time. I’ve been milking my Jersey dairy cow for 8 months and she’s drying herself off. Meaning, her milk production has diminished to just a half gallon each day. Plus, after 3 attempts at A.I. she is not bred. I’ve learned that it’s difficult to detect heat cycles in a cow without another cow around to tip you off. They will mount one another when coming into heat and if your cow stands still to be mounted, it’s time to get her bred. It’s been a guessing game without another cow around. I also realized that to be in milk year round, it’s helpful to have more than one dairy cow so you can give a 2-3 month break when it’s close to calving time. I’ve learned that I hate milking in the winter, so I’ve created a new milking area in a small barn that shelters me from the brutal wind and cold. I had to buy butter over the holidays and that was annoying to me. It’s still cheaper, depending on brand, to buy it than make it from your own cows’ cream, but it’s not the same quality. I’m working on self-sufficiency not cost savings at the moment and consider the cows an investment in the future of food security for my family. Both my dairy cows produce A2/A2 milk proteins which are considered to be a more digestible protein than store-bought milk (A1/A1), and it tastes so much better! And the cows give calves for beef or can be sold. An overall cost savings, as long as the cows remain healthy. It’s a ton of work and I’m loving it. The new calf is a bull and he was banded quickly. Dairy bulls can be dangerous. He’s now a steer and will go to Freezer Camp when he’s big enough. I named him Beefcake so I don’t get too attached to him. The 8 month old heifer calf is promised to a family member who wants her own milk cow. It’s been a great experience so far and I’m loving how much my family loves to visit the Farm.
P.S.: The well is functioning as it should now!”
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B.G. sent this: 2022 Closes with A Nation On the Precipice of Ruination.
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Jailhouse interview: Stewart Rhodes warns Trump is next for politically motivated prosecution.
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Sheila wrote:
“I enjoyed Michael X.’s two-part article titled Lessons Learned From a Winter Storm. In his summary, he mentioned looking for a better way to power the CPAP.
We also have a CPAP user in our household. Here are two no-electricity solutions we have used. First, keep a solar battery charged. Ours was from Goal Zero. The battery can come inside at night with no carbon monoxide risk. A single charge will power the CPAP for three nights. When the charge is low, attach the battery to a small solar panel out in the yard and it recharges during the day.
We like the second solution more. Get a high-quality Uninterruptable Power supply (UPS) that can power a computer for hours. Since the CPAP uses so little power, one charge on the UPS will run it for 6-7 hours. While not cheap, maybe $260, it was cheaper than the battery/solar panel solution. We can recharge the UPS battery from the generator during the day.
The UPS idea has the advantage of not interrupting sleep if the power goes off during the night. Just plug the UPS to the wall, then plug the CPAP to the UPS. I hope this helps!”
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This link came courtesy of D.S.V.: Attacks On 4 Electricity Substations In Washington State Leave 14,000 Without Power On Christmas Day.
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A great video essay: Why I Am The Enemy! Here’s Three Reasons.
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Karen B. sent us this: The CIA is using a European NATO ally’s spy service to conduct a covert sabotage campaign inside Russia under the agency’s direction, according to former U.S. intelligence and military officials.
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To file under: “Some Folks Never Learn”: food-rcna63246″ target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”>After deadly Buffalo blizzard, families scramble to find food and essentials.
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Reader K.B. suggested this: Distraught family of woman, 22, killed in Buffalo blizzard rage that authorities waited too long to save her from car. K.B.’s Comments:
“This is a very sad story. It looks like may be carbon monoxide poisoning. Drives home the importance of keeping a good Emergency kit in the car trunk. Like a good sleeping bag with food and water. I don’t keep food in my trunk due to heat and cold extremes. But am now looking for food that will stand up to repeated freezing. I assume tuna as sold in a can would not be good, but maybe tuna as sold in a pouch would stand up to repeated freezing cycles?
This also brings to mind canned food in general, and what happens to it if the home environment goes down to freezing temps. For instance, would freeze dried food in #10 cans remain viable, but maybe not moist stews in regular grocery store 15oz cans?”
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From reader D.S.V: Aussie Cops Ask Neighbors To Rat Out ‘Anti-Government, Anti-Police, Or COVID-Vaccine Conspiracy Theorists’.
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And lastly, there is this reality inversion news: German Euthanasia Clinics Require Proof of Covid Shot before Killing Patients.
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