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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A blog reader in Tasmania sent a snail mail letter, warning of a “regulatory change” that will soon go into effect, canceling the long-standing “Exemption 4” for antique guns. The law redefinition requires registration, making an application for a “limited individual exemption”, upgrades to existing firearms licenses, and “gun cupboard” storage of all antique (pre-1900) guns on the island. This is regardless of a gun’s ignition system — even matchlock and flintlock muzzleloaders. The only legal alternatives will be selling or surrendering those antique guns. The officials haven’t yet decided what the “training requirements” will be for the owners of all those pre-1900 antique guns. What insanity! The officials of course say that this change is for “public safety.” Each day, the chains of tyranny get a little stronger, all around the world. Readers in the Commonwealth: I beg you, don’t surrender your antique guns for destruction!
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Reader D.S.V. suggested this essay from The New Atlantis: Things Used to Work in This Country.
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Great Reset Watch: EU Parliament Approves ‘Digital Identity Wallet’.
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Our friend and fellow blogger Patrice Lewis suggested this tip: Jar Washer Fix.
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SaraSue sent us this snippet:
“A very busy week – I cleaned the farm house top to bottom – it took a good 15 hours and had to be done in chunks throughout the week. A big task I’m only halfway through is cleaning out the food storage area, organizing, and updating inventory. I’m trying to be organized before gardening season begins in earnest.
In other news, I had a wonderful visit from family, and I love spending time with my grandchildren. A new situation or two presented this week: the neighbor’s cows kept getting out and on the road – a particularly stubborn little heifer likes to come visit my cows. While I called the owners to let them know (each time), I went on foot with nothing more than a lasso and a “come on cow, let’s go, come on cow” to herd the youngest back through their main gate, which is not locked, just latched. No bulls involved or I wouldn’t have attempted it. I couldn’t stand the thought of a truck roaring around the corner and plowing into that heifer. I’ve also had trouble with a neighbor dog who likes to visit the farm. I don’t think he’s aggressive, but he sure gets my dogs’ hackles up. I’ve asked the owners to please keep the dog on their own property. People generally understand the value of livestock here, and will do their best to rectify a problem if asked. If not… my dogs can more than handle the issue. I’d like to avoid injuries and bloodshed if possible, and I do not want my dogs involved in that level of violence unless we are talking coyotes. I don’t care how cute or well behaved Fuzzy the Furry Dog is, I have zero tolerance for stray dogs coming anywhere near my livestock. My own dogs are on E-collars to encourage them to remember that they do not touch the livestock either (after previous deaths occurred). Their job is to guard the property and everything on it. They are doing an excellent job, but I never forget what they are capable of. They are rewarded generously for their work.
We’ve had a lot of rain and there’s more in the forecast. As I trudge through the muck and mud doing farm chores, I thank the Lord for the rain because it means good grass for the cows this year, and the less hay I need to bring in. All in all, a productive week and I’m feeling it in every old bone.”
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Reader H.L. spotted this: French Film Star Illustrates Futility of Nation’s Gun Control Laws.
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Meanwhile, elsewhere in Europe: Farmers Break Police Lines in Europe!
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Reader Tim in Connecticut wrote:
“In response to the post by LE: Joining the local church and especially the ladies’ auxiliary, would be the best and most efficient way to assimilate into a new community.”
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And reader W.J. suggested:
“One way of being accepted into a longstanding rural community is to be a member of a religious minority.. A friend’s sister discovered this by accident. She and her family moved from New York to the back hills of eastern Kentucky. They were literally welcomed with open arms and enthusiastic offers to join everything in sight.
Why? They were Catholics, and had gone to church on Sunday. “Were you from, honey?” “New York? Oh, that’s wonderful. We’re so happy to have you here. Would you like to join the choir/altar society/etc. etc.?” She could have said she was from Zanzibar, and been equally welcomed.
There aren’t very many Catholics in eastern Kentucky mountain country, and they do all know each other, and are glad to have more company. As a minority, they aren’t hated, but they are permanent outsiders themselves. So the sister and her family immediately became members of the Catholic clan, and got lots of help setting up their homestead.
If she.had been a nice, normal Baptist, she would still be socially freezing to death. Especially since she was a native New Yorker.
I always advise Catholics who are moving South to made absolutely sure there is a decent Catholic Church nearby. The same would apply to the West in areas with few Catholics.
But this would work equally well with most religious minorities. There need to be enough for a group – three of you in an entire county will not make a clan. But too many water down the welcome – a forty percent minority isn’t anxious for reinforcements. And not everything is a mix – some sort of Christian would probably work best. Or Jewish.
Something to keep in mind if you are a newcomer.”
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Field Gear Editor Tom Christianson offered two snippets:
“I am grateful to SurvivalBlog reader TM for some helpful information. In my March 4 review of the Zastava PAP M77PS, I asked why AK cleaning rods are always too short. TM responded, ‘A number of military weapons use cleaning rods that are shared by squad members. Two soldiers combine their rods to make one long enough to clean the bore. The reason is to make the rods short enough to fit under the barrel which often leads to the rod not being long enough to reach through the full length of the barrel and chamber, particularly if cleaning from the chamber.'”
and,
“In my March 2 review of the Liberty Safe HDV-150X Biometric Handgun Vault, I asked reader for tips about American made handgun vaults. Reader JL responded: ‘Thomas, The V-line Vault is made in the USA. It has a simple button locking system that is reliable. I own one and I think it is a much better option than the complicated electric locking systems.’”
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MSNBC: Great Threat to Democracy is White Rural Voters.
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And lastly over at Whatfinger: I Was Wrong About AI Video… You can do this NOW. Imagine in a couple of weeks… JWR’s Comment: The Deep Fake implications of this leapfrogging advancement in AI technology are enormous.
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