SurvivalBlog presents another edition of The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods— a collection of news bits and pieces that are relevant to the modern survivalist and prepper from “HJL”. Once again, the statists are foiled by the ingenuity of the average man. (pun fully intended – read “knife, foiled” to see how.)
Politics
Apparently the “Roseanne” reboot blew up the TV ratings this week. I don’t know, because I didn’t watch it. It would appear that many conservatives are cheering because ABC finally put a pro-Trump character on that wasn’t a total idiot. There is just one problem. If you thought this was a right-leaning TV show, you would be wrong. Producers think that the only difference between the right and the left is economics and all they have to do is have a middle-class working woman be a Trump supporter to “click” with the rest of fly-over America. Of course that ignores the fact that the TV show is pro-gay-marriage, pro-abortion, feminist and pro-transgenderism with the implication that the main character is good because of these views. Nope. They missed it again. Hopefully, conservatives won’t bite on this one.
Firearm Sales Demographics
From Mike Williamson, SurvivalBlog’s Editor at Large:
I have noticed, as have several others, that the last few weeks have had a huge upswing in black attendance at gun shows. I saw a significant increase in black families–middle class, respectable–coming into the local show and leaving with purchases. Most were buying AK and AR platform rifles, pump shotguns and Glock or Smith and Wesson handguns. These are all practical, reliable defensive tools.
Clearly, they’re aware of the threats they will face during civil unrest, and are insuring against it. Anti-gun rhetoric to the contrary, they were of course welcomed by the rest of the firearm community and the vendors.
It will be interesting to see if this presages any shift in the upcoming elections.
Be the Gray Man
Reader J.H. sent in this article of interest that outlines strategies for blending in and becoming invisible in society. Sure, you can openly oppose predators that you dislike, but you certainly stand out in a crowd and draw the interest of those parties. If you have enough force, you can get away with that. A second strategy is to simply wait until you are being looked at and then act. This article outlines ways that you can seem like you are just part of the crowd and avoid attracting the unwanted attention. The article address things like clothing, mannerisms, movement and routes.
Knife, Foiled
From Japan comes this proof that the most ordinary things can be made into extraordinary weapons or tools. Reader T.Z sent this article and video of a person who took an ordinary roll of aluminum foil that you might buy at a grocery store and turned it into a pretty amazing kitchen knife using ordinary hand tools. For the sharpening part, the person had a variety of tools that you might not have around your house, but I think the concept is valid. If you are like most Americans, you might not have the fine sharpening stones that the maker had, but you probably have something that you can use. I’ve even used a concrete sidewalk to put a rudimentary edge on tooling before. U.K. readers may want to take note here.
Social Media
Reader G.S. sent in this article on a new Firefox add-on that stops Facebook from tracking your online habits. The plugin makes Facebook run in an isolated tab that hides the rest of your browser from it. Facebook thinks that it is the only application running within the browser and that there is nothing to track. While we can’t condone the use of Facebook, we’ll be interested to hear from our readers who do use it if this actually works, and if so, how well.
Innocence
As today’s interactions with law enforcement become more and more hostile (sometimes for good reasons), this article should probably be required reading. Written from the perspective of someone who was abused by the system, it is a stiff reminder that you need to remain silent and distrustful of authority. Your inherent rights are easily violated and you are innocent until proven guilty. The law enforcement you are dealing with has the priority of solving a crime, not protecting your rights. You must take ownership of that job. Thanks to DSV for the link.
o o o
Please send your news tips to HJL. (Either via e-mail of via our Contact form.) These are often especially relevant, because they come from folks who watch news that is important to them. Due to their diligence and focus, we benefit from fresh “on target” news. We often “get the scoop” on news that is most likely ignored (or reported late) by mainstream American news outlets. Thanks!
Didn’t watch the first “Roseanne” and have absolutely no plans to watch this one. That woman is one of the most obnoxious irritating women I have ever seen.
Facebook, never been there, never will. It has nothing to offer.
Same. I did see a few episodes of the first one, but never understood why it was so popular, and I never found Roseanne Barr to be funny. No plan to watch this one either.
Lew Rockwell comment does not state the name of the book. Can you supply the name?
my thoughts exactly
There’s a link in the first paragraph of the article “Read this book.” It’s titled (not entitled) “You Have the Right to Remain Innocent”.
There’s also a great 2-part video on YouTube titled “Don’t Talk To Cops” part 1 and 2 by James Duane, the author of the book. The first part is a talk by a Mr. Duane and the second part is by a cop. There’s a great test the he gives in the first part. I highly recommend watching it.
I may have to look at and rethink my attitude about Mozilla Firefox.
I deleted Firefox from my computer back in 2014, when the Board fired the new CEO, Brendan Eich, when he donated money to support a traditional marriage initiative in Kalifornication.
Sure, being a private company, they have the right to do what they did because of the CEO’s (traditional) politics. Just as I have the right to delete and not use their product because of the Board’s (“progressive”) politics.
(gaggle, “mozilla firefox firing ceo”)
As far as Rosanne is concerned at least it’s a start. Just one thing. So what if they are pro-gay marriage. The government should not be able to tell people what they can and can’t do. For that reason alone you should support it. If you claim it’s due to the bible or religious beliefs then what about operation of Church and State? Can’t have it both ways. Who cares if they are, bigger fish to fry.
@James,
It’s not a start, it’s a complete lack of understanding of what separates America. The producers of the show think that Republicans are leftists that have a more economically conservative view. They have completely missed why Hillary didn’t win and why Trump did. The vast majority of people didn’t vote for Trump because they liked him. It was an ABC vote (Anybody But Clinton). The moral stance does matter even if it’s not codify in law.
I also think that you might not have a grasp of what separation of church and state means. The concept is not codified in the law or the constitution anywhere. It comes from the independent writings of Jefferson. It simply means that there should not be an establish religion that controls the state, nor should the state control an established religion. It does not mean check your faith and morals at the door when you seek public office. Note that the Constitution specifically states “freedom of religion” not “freedom from religion”.
This is a well meaning critique, I mean no disrespect. Actually your comment is pretty good.
To begin:
“The producers of the show think that Republicans are leftists that have a more economically conservative view.”
Actually Republican POLITICIANS are leftists but their economic conservatism is an illusion. Smoke and mirrors for the great unwashed.
“They have completely missed why Hillary didn’t win and why Trump did.”
No, they get it, finally, the recognition of Hitlery’s weaknesses has finally been brought home. Now I hear all kind of leftists telling her to shut up and go home. (She won’t, of course, she’s just not that smart.)
“The vast majority of people didn’t vote for Trump because they liked him. It was an ABC vote (Anybody But Clinton).”
No, I voted FOR Trump and his very conservative message. Most of the folks I know who also voted for Trump also voted for the message and the messenger. Finally voting FOR someone and not against.
“The moral stance does matter even if it’s not codify in law.”
Amen brother.
“I also think that you might not have a grasp of what separation of church and state means. The concept is not codified in the law or the constitution anywhere. It comes from the independent writings of Jefferson. (All true.) It simply means that there should not be an establish religion that controls the state, nor should the state control an established religion.”
Actually freedom of religion, the fundamental human right to worship as you choose, can and should also be the freedom not to worship, if that is your choice. At the time of the writing of the Bill of Rights, there were States that had a government sponsored religion, the restriction was only on congress. Hense, “Congress shall make no law…”. Too bad they didn’t stop the bill of rights after that phrase. We all would have been better off.
“It does not mean check your faith and morals at the door when you seek public office.”
For the majority of our politicians, they checked their faith and morals at the door before they initially sought public office.
“Note that the Constitution specifically states “freedom of religion” not “freedom from religion”.”
The use of force to make you accept the State religion is what is immoral. The use of force to excise religion from the individual is also immoral, the most immoral use of force possible.
Lest we forget ABC canceled the best show they had…’Last man standing’. #2 in ratings. Rosanne is no substitute. Leftists can not stand the truth being told about them and Last Man Standing did just that. I still watch the reruns.
Thank you Anonymous! It Still amazes me that so many people don’t understand the Bible or have a clue about the intension of the constitution!
The Gray Man is an easy thing to conceive, but difficult for many of us to achieve, and this article pointed that out. The military and Law Enforcement work throughout most of my life has taught me to keep my head on a swivel, especially in the Gulf. I agree it is easy to spot the people that are actually aware of his or her surroundings, but does getting rid of those signals make you easier prey for criminals? How do you go gray without compromising your own personal security? Thank you for your time……
Never really cared for Roseanne before and didn’t watch the first one, but she did get an atta girl from me when she flipped off ( if it was for real ) Jimmy Kimmel. But that didn’t make up for the really bad singing of the national anthem at that San Diego baseball game and playing with her crotch at the same time
Everybody, especially here in Hawaii, forgets she was involved in the “Occupy” movement, has often spoke about those illiterate republicans, and is by trade a liar (actor). One she gets everyone praising her, she’ll turn and use it to show how smart she is and how gullible the rest of the world is and thats why she and Hillary should be running things.