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”. Here it comes… The Second Amendment is now under major anti-gun assault from the Democrats.
Stocking Up
Palmetto State Armory–one of our Affiliate advertisers–is having a special $39.99 special on their PSA AR-15 “Stealth” Stripped Lower Receivers. If you have an FFL or a local friend with one, then stock up! I recently bought more than a dozen of these as gifts for my grandkids. If there is Federal ban legislation passed in the now Democrat-ruled House of Representatives, even if it doesn’t pass in the Senate, I expect to see stripped AR-15 lowers jump back up to $200 apiece.
Financial Assault on 2A
Mike Williamson, SurvivalBlog’s Editor at Large pointed out that that crazy person Maxine Waters will now head the House Financial Services Committee. You can expect more attacks on gun owners along the lines of “Operation Choke Point” where financial entities are pressured to drop firearms related businesses despite the legality of the business.
Identifying Gun Owners
Reader DSV sent in this article on how the Boston mayor’s office is pushing a new program to force doctors to identify and document patients who have guns in their homes. The act requires that the doctor ask the patients if they have guns in their home and bring up the topic of gun safety, despite the fact that it is a clear invasion of the the patients privacy. According to the article, many public clinics already do this. The program just seeks to expand the program. Of course, many patients don’t realize that they don’t have to answer the questions and they fear that they will be refused care if they don’t answer.
Oregon Anti-Gun Bills
Oregon gun owners are under attack again. Pat Cascio, SurvivalBlog’s Senior Field Gear Editor, forwarded an email to us on the following bills that have been pre-filed for the 2019 legislative session. He thinks most of them will probably pass:
Senate Bill 501, sponsored by Senator Rob Wagner (D-19) and Representative Andrea Salinas (D-38), contains numerous, egregious infringements. It would create a permit that would be required to purchase or receive a firearm, with each permit requiring training and being valid for only 90 days, limit purchases to one handgun and one long gun per 30 day period, require firearms be stored in a locked container or with a trigger/cable lock, require reporting of lost or stolen firearms within 24 hours, prohibit the possession of ammunition magazines with a capacity greater than five, require background checks for purchasing ammunition, restrict ammunition purchases to no more than 20 rounds within a 30 day period, and require firearm transfers to be delayed up to 14 days for the Oregon State Police to conduct background checks.
House Bill 2551, filed at the request of Governor Kate Brown, would define many commonly owned semi-automatic firearms as “assault rifles,” prohibit young adults under the age of 21 from receiving such defined “assault rifles,” require firearm transfers be delayed for up to 30 days for the Oregon State Police to conduct background checks, and impose stiff criminal penalties for those who allow a minor to access a firearm.
Senate Bill 275, sponsored by Senator James Manning (D-7) and Representative Salinas, and House Bill 2505, sponsored by Representative Barbara Smith Warner (D-45), would include language from the failed Initiative Petition 44 of 2018. It would restrict the right to self-defense by imposing a one-size-fits-all requirement for the storage of firearms.
Senate Bill 87, filed at the request of the Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Industries, Brad Avakian, would prohibit young adults under the age of 21 from purchasing firearms and allow firearm dealers to discriminate against and refuse to sell firearms, ammunition, or firearm components to adults of any age.
The Democrats Begin
Feinstein has introduced her signature bill during the government shutdown to attack your 2A. Long known for her hatred of “assault weapons” (which are apparently any gun that looks scary and is colored black). This one is very similar to the legislation passed back in 1994. There are at least 26 Democrats who are co-sponsoring this bill as well. Thanks to reader B.B. for the link.
Shift in Magnetic North
According to this article sent in by DSV, the magnetic pole has accelerated its movement to about 30 miles per year. While the pole constantly moves and navigation maps have to be updated constantly, the next update wasn’t due until 2020. Due to the acceleration of movement, many organizations have requested an unprecedented early review of the process as navigation that uses the magnetic pole is becoming increasingly inaccurate. No one knows why the sudden acceleration is occurring after a long period of relative stability, but the only concern is the navigation maps. You might consider this a call to learn navigation by other means such as using the stars.
Rendering Beeswax
If you are thinking of having a beehive or two for the honey, you might want to check out this article sent in by reader M.T. Beeswax is a very useful ingredient in many home remedies and is useful in many ways including cooking, candles and lip balm. This article shows you how to render that beeswax into a useful form from the honeycomb.
Classifieds
Don’t forget that they SurvivalBlog Classifieds are free to use now. There are some really great postings like .22LR Remington Thunderbolt Ammo. You can also post if you are looking for something.
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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!
Fyi Remington Thunderbolt ammunition is selling for $15 per box of 500 at Wal-Mart
I’m looking at the school children’s blizzard article and I’m supposed to believe that in the NW in January it was 100 degrees and it fell to freezing!?!
Sounds more like excuses than fact
Hello, Matt,
Actually, if you take the time to read other accounts of the storm, the temperatures fell to 40 below zero in some places, which would mean that earlier in the day the high may have been near 60, which is not such an outrageous thing. Blizzards are nothing to take lightly.
Matt in Oklahoma
“I’m looking at the school children’s blizzard article and I’m supposed to believe that in the NW in January it was 100 degrees and it fell to freezing!?!”
No it dropped 100 degrees. Probably was in the 60’s and dropped to -40 degrees. Read History Channel’s article. https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/blizzard-brings-tragedy-to-northwest-plains
That event involved a 100 degree CHANGE in temperature, not totally unheard of. Consider it might have been +60 and dropped to -40, that’s a 100 degree drop. Just a few years ago here it was over 60 one afternoon and -30 the next day.
What a lovely typo! Oh, if only beeswax could be used as a “lib balm.”
Agree 100% Ma G. Love the typo !
Claude
Back in 2008 or ‘09 my youngest son was at our family children’s Physicans office getting a sports physical. (The doctor was also a member of the church we attended)
When he had finished, he came out of the office and told me the nurse had asked him if we had firearms and how many. He politely informed the nurse that that was none of their business. I immediately requested a short meeting with the family physician. After being told by the doctor, they were within their rights to request information that “may present a danger to the health and well being of the children” – I informed the good doctor (who’s services we had used for many years) that I was well within my rights to no longer need or use their services and I would also share the information with friends and family.
The AMA in concert with the UN provided at the time – “proof” – of guns, like any other disease, were a cause of death.
Fortunately my children were raised with the wisdom to know, James 1:15 “Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.”
As they grew up, many a time, they heard my translation, “It’s sin what kills ya!”
I live in Texas. I took my 2 month old child to the pediatrician for a checkup. They read a list of questions off to me and yes guns were on the list. He kinda mumbled it and really didn’t want an answer. “No guns or anything like that in the home, check.” I promptly made sure mine was covered good and my wife’s purse was closed. He knew it wasn’t any of his business to even ask but I suppose he was following a fed or state mandated list of questions.
“restrict ammunition purchases to no more than 20 rounds within a 30 day period”
Good thing I reload….EVEN BETTER THING I DON’T LIVE IN OREGON!
I’ve never had a health care professional ask me about guns. But my plan if one ever does is to tell that person I don’t own any and don’t want any, either. Telling them to mind their own business would probably flag me just the same as saying yes.
I’d like to hear my Doc lecture me on gun safety….I’ve was given my first 22 when I was nine, that was 52 years ago. Long before my Doc was even born. HA!
Interesting and I appreciate the feedback. I guess I wasn’t taking into account the wind chill etc
Tell the Docs you have a question for them: “Do they still beat their spouse?”
My wife is a family doctor please do not throw them all under the bus
She shoots and hunts. Well, used to hunt–too busy now with all the bull ****
paper work
And no she does not beat me
CORD7: Well done. Physicians, like electricians, plumbers, mechanics and the guy who sucks out the septic tank, are specialists who can supplement the information and practical experience / equipment I need to make decisions and get necessary things done.
But they are hired help. They have no “right” to query into my personal affairs (although there are endless reporting requirements these days for all health care professionals to report everything from rape to hangnails, and a plethora of ambulance chasers hoodwinking folks to bring suit for a piece of the action).
I’ve had the same conversation when I contract with new doctors, dentists, plumbers, etc., for the last 40 years: If we have an appointment at 10, I’ll give you 15 minutes. After that I’m gone, and don’t bill me. Our invoices will cancel each other out.
My time is as important as yours. And I expect answers to all of my questions in a way I can comprehend until I’m satisfied I have enough understanding to make a decision about how we will proceed.
The great majority are surprised but ultimately on board with the idea, admitting it’s refreshing to deal with a patient who takes responsibility.
No intimidation, No pedestals.
Gene: You refer to “Physicians, like electricians, plumbers, mechanics and the guy who sucks out the septic tank” as “hired help.” At least one difference is that none of those other “specialists” will provide their services without immediate full payment no matter how much sewage is backing up into your darkened house or how critical your broken car is to your life. I, like most physicians, see sick patients regardless of their ability to pay, and when we do get paid we must wait 1-6 months, often after being forced to submit the bill multiple times, for the insurance or government check. And if my billing clerk accidentally enters the wrong diagnostic/billing code (out of 10’s of thousands) it is not considered human error but criminal fraud for which I can lose my professional privileges, be heavily fined, or even be imprisoned for many years.
“I contract with new doctors, dentists, plumbers, etc”. Sorry, buddy, but unless you are seeing a non-Medicare associated physician you haven’t contracted with your doctor for many years now. Your private or government prepaid healthcare (insurance) company contracts with your “provider”…and determines what he/she is paid whether that is the cost of the service or not.
“If we have an appointment at 10, I’ll give you 15 minutes.” While you are waiting your 15 minutes maximum, I may have just been telling a young mother that she is not only not going to see her young children graduate high school but that she likely won’t see them finish the current school year. And I don’t know who your electrician, plumber, and mechanic are but I would dearly like a referral. I commonly wait an hour or more for a 15 min oil change, the electrician can only tell me he will be here “in the morning” or “in the afternoon.” Lots of 15 min intervals there. And if an unanticipated event causes me to not be available I will receive a bill from him regardless.
I get your frustration but many physician practices are barely hanging on and are nearly as victimized by the socialist utopia as our patients.
That being said…please heed the advice I give all my family, patients, friends, and acquaintances…do not give any information to a health care professional that you do not want publicly known. All entries into these Satanic electronic health records are available for multiple entities, including various government agencies, to view.
Good luck!!…as we slide ever faster toward socialist utopia.
Excellent reply, John. Both my son and daughter- in- law are physicians and I hear their side of it and see their frustration. This isn’t Doc Adams of “Gunsmoke” fame anymore.
Do you think asking about guns is strange?
I recently started going to a new doctor and was asked if I identified as a woman, had I always been a woman, and did I want to be referred to as a woman. I laughed and the nurse agreed that this was rather ridiculous, but this was a new requirement for their records.
Do any of you sometimes feel like a “stranger in a strange land”? I often feel that I do not recognize this country and society.
Yep. The largest electronic health record, EPIC, recently allows patients to choose not only the name they wish to be called, but also their gender. There is growing fear that as health professionals we will be held liable for failing to ask these preferences despite our belief that this is going to cause enormous adverse consequences.
As much as I enjoy my specialty and love my patients I look forward to retiring in the next year or two.
Oregonians like to spell Oregon as “OREGUN”! So we plan to keep it that way, now, and forever! Any law that is passed that goes against our State constitution, or our Federal constitution is illegal and NOT to be obeyed! We will have to vote out the “skank” that come up with these anti-second amendment bills!
About 5 years ago in the state of WA the medical consortium I was a member of began handing me a form to fill out every time I walked in. Besides the name, address and pertinent info needed for updating the remainder of the questions would ask items like did I have sex in the last week, was it with a man, was it with a woman, was it with both. Another bunch of questions dealt with guns, did I own one, have I used one, do I know anyone with a gun, what is their name. You get the gist. I of course would stop at name number and rank. I told my doctor how ridiculous that form was and that I would not fill it out. He said that was fine but would have to once I got on Medicare. 5 years later I am on Medicare, I have since moved to Idaho and I have a doctor near me that does not belong to any group, as he puts it “no one owns me”. I love this guy, small office, great staff no weird forms no constant update info requested. Everyone knows you and I know them all by first name. This is of course depending on the county you are in, in Kootenai County, I do not live there, all the medical facilities belong to a consortium/group only by said county. If and when you do move, do your homework. BTW since I have been in ID, I have yet to be asked to fill out any form like the one in WA. I love Idaho.
To Gene Blister: You refer to “Physicians, like electricians, plumbers, mechanics and the guy who sucks out the septic tank” as “hired help.” At least one difference is that none of those other “specialists” will provide their services without immediate full payment no matter how much sewage is backing up into your darkened house or how critical your broken car is to your life. I, like most physicians, see sick patients regardless of their ability to pay, and when we do get paid we must wait 1-6 months, often after being forced to submit the bill multiple times, for the insurance or government check. And if my billing clerk accidentally enters the wrong diagnostic/billing code (out of 10’s of thousands) it is not considered human error but criminal fraud for which I can lose my professional privileges, be heavily fined, or even be imprisoned for many years.
“I contract with new doctors, dentists, plumbers, etc”. Sorry, buddy, but you haven’t contracted with your doctor for many years now. Your private or government prepaid healthcare (insurance) company contracts with your “provider”…and determines what he/she is paid whether that is the cost of the service or not.
“If we have an appointment at 10, I’ll give you 15 minutes.” While you are waiting your 15 minutes maximum, I may have just been telling a young mother that she is not only not going to see her young children graduate high school but that she likely won’t see them finish the current school year. And I don’t know who your electrician, plumber, and mechanic are but I would dearly like a referral. I commonly wait an hour or more to have my oil changed, the electrician can only tell me he will be here “in the morning” or “in the afternoon.” Lots of 15 min intervals there. And if an unanticipated event causes me to not be available I will receive a bill from him regardless.
That being said…please heed the advice I give all my family, patients, friends, and acquaintances…do not give any information to a health care professional that you do not want publicly known. All entries into these Satanic electronic health records are available for multiple entities, including various government agencies, to view.
Good luck as we slide ever faster toward socialist utopia.
Dr.John:
I feel your pain and frustration regarding the ICD 10 and CPT Coding nightmare.
As an AAPC certified CPC and AHIMA certified CCS, I experienced “crosswalking” a few years ago as we transitioned from the madness of the old system to the insanity of the new and improved system. The unjust pressures put on everyone when the government interferes with our lives are horrendous and, as you observed, satanic.
The contracts I form with my professionals are between us and how we will interact and conduct business with each other, not who pays whom; perhaps a more appropriate word would have been “understanding” of “meeting of the minds.” By stating the parameters up front each knows the point of view of the other and how to work together most effectively.
For example, I needed some foundation work done and let the bidding contractors know that I expected them to come on time, fully equipped, supplied and manned, and remain dedicated to the project until completed – no going off to work on another project in the middle of my job.
Two contractors told me to pound sand, and I appreciated that we established we couldn’t work together from the beginning. The third accepted my requirements, adding some of their own to which I agreed, and we got everything in writing.
Perhaps you could avoid the angst you have with your service providers by letting them know up front what you will and will not accept.
Unfortunately, there’s no avoiding those horrible times when, despite all training and experience, we have to give terrible news to folks. I do not envy you that aspect of your profession.
Gene. Better idea…how about I just contract with you to do my contracting!?! 🙂 But you offer great advice that I will pay attention to in the future. Although finding competent people where I live for anything is becoming ever more difficult and I tend to naively give too many the benefit of the doubt.
And I apologize if it sounded like my panties were in a wad. Bad previous week for one of my patients. You are obviously a good guy and did not deserve my frustration.
All the best to you. Stay frosty. My gut says Rawles’ prediction of civil unrest may be sooner than later.
John
Doesn’t buying multiple lowers at once get your name and purchase sent to the ATF for multiple “guns” purchased at a time? I would prefer to avoid that.
NOTAX the short answer is NO. As a licensed dealer I must only report 2 or more handguns in one sale. Long guns are only recorded on the form 4473 stripped recievers are listed as “other” on the 4473
My sincerest apologies to Gene and all others who had to endure my “rant” multiple times. Each time I submitted it appeared to be “disappeared” by the site. Now it looks like most if not all were just “hung up” and eventually posted.
SORRY FOLKS!
John , I replied to your comment around 24 hours ago and believe I am experiencing the same delay . I too have posted the same comment repeatedly due to the delay . Small price to pay for good content of this site . No worries . To all readers please participate in the 10 cent challenge , to help keep the good info coming . Thank you and keep up the good work .
Gee, the gun question isn’t hard to answer. As I remove my jacket, shirt for the exam, he can easily see the two Glocks and two spare magazines on my belt. One of my docs did ask if I had any sad thoughts or thought about hurting myself. I just laughed. No more questions. My heart surgeon and cardio guy LIKE armed patients and half the staff packs in the building.
But for those with jerky providers with nosey questions the standard canned answer is, “I won’t tell you and don’t ask again.”
BTW, “wind chill” was not calculated in the late 1800s, so the temperature data in the Children’s Blizzard is what it is. I saw similar swings in my two years in Canada. One week is was -45, two days later, 75. Happens often in February.
Questions about weapons is now pretty common in some healthcare settings. The only “right” answer is NO. Arguments and none of your bussiness answers, will be seen as a yes or worse a red flag.
It will then be recorded for all time in a record that more people see than you would imagine. Do you really believe the box will be left blank?
Outright hostility or anger may be seen as a warning sign and is legally reportable to the police.
Most of the new Doc’s tend to be on the liberal slant with an urban background. Don’t expect that trend to change.
In all honesty – if a person can’t maintion their cool over a simple question – are they really fit to own weapons.
Get mad, blow off steam, do it in my office and it will be reported to the police. Get a new Doc and the first thing they do is request your medical records.
Beyond asking about guns in the house, Boston doctors also routinely ask if “you feel safe at home”, are you “abused by anyone in your home”, are you sexually active, and who do you sleep with, male or female.
My Chiropractor posted a bulletin on his business door stating that the carrying of a pistol on the premises is no problem and that he is a strong supporter of the 2A and if you find that you have to use it please take a careful shot(paraphrasing of course). So the next time I went in for an adjustment I showed up with my Glock in my waist holster. When I got to the little room for my treatment I laid my gun and holster on a small table next to me, climbed up on the adjustment table and waited for the Doc. Turned out he was gone for the day but his man in training came in and treated me and never said a word. No big deal. It just amazes me how carrying guns can be so meaningless in Oklahoma but looked at as such an evil thing in the liberal states.
If I’m too old to move effectively when the day comes, put me on a hill with my ‘deer rifle’, and I’ll make a difference.
If a medical professional asks you a question it should be covered by HIPPA secrecy and if they pass the information they should be sued and lose their license
VT. HIPPA does not prevent potential easy access to your records by a number of government agencies all “for your own good” of course. You likely give them permission each time you sign in for an “encounter.” In addition, we are told that at least 70% of information in EPIC is in error. Do not be naive about this.
John
I refuse to sign the HIPPA form. You are not legally bound to do so. Check out the Citizens Council for Health Freedom site for more info. Moving on…so I am in my eye Dr. and as usual I don’t sign the form. We have been patients for years. So the Dr. comes out to the waiting room before the appointment and says to me in so many words, sign the form or you can not be a patient here anymore. I stood my ground, read/showed him the law, calmly spoke to him about it. I even offered to pay cash from now on and avoid insurance all together. He said that didn’t matter. So, I said goodbye. He lost 4 patients that day.