This weekly Snippets column is a collection of short items: 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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SurvivalBlog’s Editor-At-Large Michael Z. Williamson sent this: How Israel’s bulky pager fooled Hezbollah. Mike notes:
“They even set up fake sources, fake reviews, and YouTube videos with fake Chinglish descriptions. Brilliant.”
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Reader Lodge Pole wrote:
“Mr. Rawles,
Thank you for your article “Please Pray for Our Nation” published Tuesday, October 15th. I would like to give a short insight as to what I have been witnessing in my area and what worries me as we get closer to the election.
I am employed with a local government agency and am in fairly consistent contact with the public. For the past few years I have been employed there, I have had a great relationship with the majority of the residents I represent and communicate with. I often get complimented when dealing with members of the public with the promptness and efficiency in which I answer questions, get results, and how I do my job. I simply state, “I am trying to bring common sense back to the government.” This is generally followed by a chuckle and, “Good luck.”
Recently, I have seen a complete flip in the attitudes and responses of many of these residents. People are turning on each other. I am noticing an uptick in complaints and anger associated with very petty things. People are turning in/on their neighbors and complaining at every opportunity. I recently took a complaint where the complainant stated, “My neighbor is smoking jerky in their garage. What are you going to do about it?!”
Not long ago, during a wildfire event, the winds shifted and with it came the thick smoke, completely smothering the Northern part of our county. Our area is not foreign to wildfire smoke, so this was nothing out of the ordinary, especially for the time of year. When residents awakened in the morning, the complaints started rolling in to me. The majority of the complaints were placing the blame on someone.
These complainants were rabid, and each of them felt justified in their blame game. When I explained where the smoke was coming from, none of them were aware of the fire. They simply needed to complain and place blame.
I have concluded that in 2024, in the United States, our lives are too convenient. Every aspect of our life is made simpler by something or someone. Morals, good judgment, and common sense are in short supply. Because of this over-convenient lifestyle we have grown accustomed to, when the slightest inconvenience occurs, most simply cannot cope nor problem-solve. People are living their lives like their social media feed. The lack of problem-solving, good judgment, and common sense are what worry me; along with all the other divisive problems plaguing this country. I worry people are going to become more aggressive when they do not get their way.
As we get closer to election day, please stay vigilant. Go to the stores now to get what you need. For what you don’t have, get it or learn to live without it. I think (and pray to God it does not happen) we are heading for some very tough times, regardless of who wins in November.”
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Seed for Security, LLC is running its Retirement Sale.
- Electronic orders will be accepted until November 30, 2024.
- Mail-in orders will accepted until November 15, 2024.
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License Plate Readers Are Cataloguing More Than Just Plates.
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Reader “Rainbolt” wrote to ask:
“I’ve been asking around about the effectiveness of vacuum sealing my various adhesive bandages. I searched the archive and found mention of space saving using this method, but no mention of extending the useful life. It seems to me the low oxygen environment would be good. I have thrown away adhesive bandages we’ve found cleaning out cupboards. The ones in my truck kit go bad pretty quickly with the temperature extremes.”
JWR Replies: The problem with vacuum packing some types of adhesive bandages is that it often compresses them, and that can cause a sticky mess. For this reason, I recommend only using a light vacuum, or no vacuum at all, and just enclosing a small silica gel packet inside a pair of Ziploc bags.
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A fascinating Timcast interview: WhatIfAltHist Says CIVIL WAR IS COMING, Explains How 2024 Election Will Lead To Second Civil War.
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SaraSue sent this snippet:
“The livestock guardian puppies are huge now and bigger than the German Shepherds. I had kept them separated the first few months although they could greet one another through the field fencing that separates the pastures and barns from the main house and yards. The puppies kept escaping and I finally gave up and let all the dogs be together. Miracle of miracles, the four dogs became fast friends. So, I have “Night Shift” Great Pyrenees, and “Day Shift” German Shepherds who play together every day during the “shift change”. I didn’t think it was possible for them all to get along, but they do and they love it! The Pack Leader is my male, intact, German Shepherd, but he tenderly tends to the very large puppies as if they were his own. The puppies are also intact males, and the other German Shepherd is a fixed female. You would think there would be fights, but there are none. 400 lbs of fur balls all intent on protecting me and the farm. Nice.
I had to lock all the chickens up in the large hen house after the puppies decided to chase and eat hens, scattering some far and wide. I am now down to less than half of my new flock of birds, not all due to the puppies’ enthusiasm – some just lost in the adjoining forest. They are laying now and it’s nice to get fresh eggs once again. I am having zero problems with predators on the property, and am enjoying the game cameras. I can access the cameras via my cell phone so that is also helpful.
I accidentally yanked my hip out of joint swinging and stacking straw bales for winter bedding. I was rushing because the guy who delivered them was throwing them off the truck as fast as he could and I tried to keep up with the stacking. The pain was excruciating and I said, “Father, I don’t have time for this!! Please heal me.” Within 24 hours, I could walk normally, get up and down the stairs, and I think with walking and stretching, I got that hip back in place, although it’s still tender. Reminder to self: don’t try to act like you’re 30 years younger!
I finally found some people who are reasonably pricing their services to come help me with cleaning, painting and attacking the long handyman to do list inside the farm house. I’m excited for that and hoping it can all be done before the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays when family will be coming for a visit.”
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Reader M.J. sent this collection of Snippets:
“It certainly sounds like FEMA and other federal agencies aren’t doing too well right now. Some say this is deliberate, but it may also be standard bureaucratic incompetence.
Here are a few comments:
1) It takes a lot less data to send a text message than it does to make an audio call or an audio/video call (FaceTime). If your local cell network is damaged, stick to text messages. A text might go through when a call won’t. If you absolutely need to send a picture, just text a photo from your phone; don’t send even a short video.
2) Keep up with your laundry. If the power’s out, it might be a long time before you can wash a load again. At least you can rinse out clothes in water that is clean but not potable and then hang them to dry. It’s better than nothing. I love my Lehman’s drying rack. Bonus: air-drying clothes saves money, both in terms of energy and because air-dried clothes last longer.
3) The supply chain isn’t doing too well, even when there is no disaster. For example, my local air filter store can’t seem to find the cardboard media I need for my swamp cooler. I’m also having trouble getting American-made socks and gloves. Folks, if you need something, splurge on it now; don’t wait. The election is coming and civil unrest is possible. If the supply chain breaks down entirely, you might not be able to get what you need even if you’re willing to pay for it with precious metals. For more on supply chain problems, read Sold Out by James Rickards.
Regarding two of the articles in the Economics section of 10-18-2024:
Orange juice prices are going up? Who cares? Drinking fruit juice is almost like eating sugar right out of the bag, because the body doesn’t have to digest the fruit juice. The sugar will hit your body right away; if you don’t burn it immediately, it will become fat. I lost 15 pounds in one month after giving up fruit juice.
The Administration wants to promulgate policies that might shut down some meat processors. I’m glad I bought some more Keystone Meat. The cans last four years!
As an undergraduate in the late 1990s, I never thought our country would fall so far and fast. Yet here we are. Keep on prepping.”
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And lastly, some serious Nanny State pearl-clutching in this Western Australia news segment: Australian tried hiding guns in a secret bunker – An Australian dictatorship crime.
Please Send Us Your Snippets!
Please send your snippet items for potential posting to JWR. or AVL. You can do so either via e-mail or via our Contact form.