Soylent Green was set in the year 2022. So, perhaps it is time to re-watch that film.

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. We may select some long e-mails for posting as separate letters.

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I read a piece that mentioned the 1973 movie Soylent Green was set in the year 2022. So, perhaps it is time to re-watch that film. I remember that seeing the bicycle-powered generator for the apartment occupied by Detective Frank Thorn (played by Charlton Heston) and that impressed me, as a budding survivalist. It makes me feel really old to realize that this movie — which was released when I was 13 years old — envisioned the world five decades in the future. And here we are, in 2022. So… what will America be like in another five decades?

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A recent video essay from Matt Christiansen: ‘Shock Poll’: A Third of Americans Say Violence Against Gov Can Be Justified | Declaration Revisited.

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Peter wrote us this bit of wisdom on the current supply chain issues:

“I was speaking with my daughter yesterday. She is younger, wanted management experience, and so is running all aspects of an auto-glass business.

She commented she would no longer consider a new vehicle unless it was a ‘common’ model (ie., manufactured in volume). She is seeing situations where customers are coming in with even say a 2014 vehicle and there is no replacement glass. This was for a GM vehicle. The manufacturers simply don’t care. The vehicles aren’t common such that there isn’t much (or any) of aftermarket parts either.

This is only for the glass, never mind other parts. I experienced this in 2020 with a 2007 Honda. The Gauge Control Unit was failing, they put in a new one, the new one was better but failing on the gas-tank sensor, and no others available from Honda. I declined trying to find one at an auto wrecker and now monitor approximate fuel by the trip odometer (e.g. assume 1/2 tank at 180 miles, fill up).

So, this is a FYI if you are vehicle shopping…“

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I found this linked at the conservative Whatfinger news aggregation site: Why Gun Sales Boomed in 2021 (And Will Keep Booming)

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Also by way of Whatfinger was this troubling news: Biden’s Infrastructure Bill Includes Mandatory Kill Switch For All Vehicles. My friend Commander Zero had some commentary on this news.

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Bob recommended this powerful presentation: Alex Newman: Get Your Kids Out of Government Schools.

Reader H.L. sent this:

“I thought you would be interested in this story I found on MSN: California Democrats propose tax hikes on businesses and the wealthy to pay for statewide universal healthcare.”

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Video: Fantastic Hidden Rooms And Ingenious Secret Furniture.

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Reader D.M. sent this note:

“Today I had a conversation with a neighbor that I found quite disturbing. First, I must preface that he is a retired gentleman, has lived in this community for several years, and is quite level-headed and above board. We are in a small, somewhat remote community in Wyoming.

He told me about a letter he’d written to our Senator because of a federal census taker. He said he had completed and submitted the 2020 census as required. However, over the last several months he has been contacted about every three months by this census taker (same one each time). First, she asks if any of the information he submitted has changed. He tells her no and she proceeds to ask more intrusive questions, such as about his income, etc. He told her he wasn’t comfortable answering such questions.

Well, apparently, she has become more persistent. This last time she wanted to know how much food he had on hand, did he have any stored food and how much! He did not answer other than ‘enough’. He thought it may have something to do with all the stimulus money, etc. I think otherwise.

This last time, she called him 6 times in a week and left a note on his front door. That’s when he’d had ‘enough’ and contacted our Senator and relayed what had happened. She asked that he please detail the situation in letter so this can be investigated.

After our conversation I began researching the census. In addition to the U.S. Census were you aware of The American Community Survey? I had not heard of this before today. It says it began in 2005. It is much more detailed than the normal U.S. Census. The questions, I feel, are very intrusive. And like the decennial census, it states it is ‘required by law’. Links are below:

The American Community Survey 2020 Questionnaire (census.gov)

and,

American Community Survey – History – U.S. Census Bureau

I’m very concerned about yet another step in the government’s overreach and wondered if you or any of your readers had experienced anything similar.”

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Bob S. wrote:

“I recommend these two sites:

Townsends 18th Century Lifestyle Channel – this channel is a wealth of off-grid living & cooking knowledge, plus its peaceful and uplifting. Here is one of his best videos: Year End Thoughts.

The Veggie Boys – 6th Generation Pennsylvania farmers – fun, uplifting and educational to boot! All employees are family members, they sit down to a large family dinner each evening and they run a year-round store/market. The host – Andrew – always has lots of energy and a big smile on his face. Grandpa is hilarious! Here is one of their most recent videos: A Vegetable Farmers Amazing 2021 From Planting to Harvest.”

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UFOs, the Channel Islands and the Navy’s ‘drone swarm’ mystery.

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Tunnel Rabbit suggested this instructional video from S2 Underground: Secure Radio Communications. JWR’s Comment: Always remember that any time you have a radio that broadcasts — regardless of its mode or encryption — that it can be intercepted, and in most circumstances, it can be DFed. And, given enough computer processing power and time, it can be decrypted. Therefore, operate at the lowest power possible to be heard by the intended receiver, preferably use directional antennas, and use high-level encryption (where legal). If you want real COMSEC, then use buried field telephone wire or couriers!

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Robert B. forwarded this link: Watch: McDonald’s Kiosk Denies Man Service Over Vaccine Status.

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Video: Porch Pirate Messes with the Wrong Man’s Package (Caught on Ring Doorbell.) That perpetrator probably chose a new line of work.

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Cryptocurrency Investors Try to Turn Private Islands Into Blockchain Utopias.

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A television news report from the City of Brotherly Love: Lyft driver shoots two suspects attempting to carjack vehicle in Philadelphia, police say.

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And lastly, reader David K. sent this useful info: 10 Edible Plants That Grow in the Shade.