SurvivalBlog presents another edition of The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods. This column is a collection of news bits and pieces that are relevant to the modern survivalist and prepper from JWR. Our goal is to educate our readers, to help them to recognize emerging threats, and to be better prepared for both disasters and negative societal trends. You can’t mitigate a risk if you haven’t first identified a risk. In today’s column, another mountain lion attack.
Mountain Lion Attack Kills 21-Year-Old in California
A Fox News article linked over at the Whatfinger.com news aggregation site: Mountain lion attack kills 21-year-old man, injures younger brother in California. And here is a television news segment.
JWR’s Comments: This incident was essentially a case of “death-by-carry-ban.” If those young men had been able to carry holstered pistols, then the outcome might have been quite different. But California effectively has a concealed carry ban, a vehicular carry ban, an open carry ban, and an under-age-21 pistol carry ban. Granted, open carry is officially legal for those 21 and older in California’s rural areas outside of city limits, but that right is rarely exercised, for several reasons. These include: Social(ist) stigma, the fear of being reported to the police, and the state’s vehicular carry ban that makes it very difficult to legally transport a handgun to get to an outdoor recreational activity. Prayers, please, for the family of the victims.
US Warns of Cyberattacks Against Water Systems
From SurvivalBlog staff writer Tom Christianson: US Warns of Cyberattacks Against Water Systems Throughout Nation.
The Ultra-Rich and Their Bunkers
From CBC News: From luxury bunkers to tactical vehicles, the ultra-rich are preparing for the Big One. The article begins:
“In December, Wired magazine revealed that Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta and one of the richest individuals on the planet, was building a $100-million US compound in Hawaii.
The fact that Zuckerberg is undertaking a nine-figure renovation is hardly revelatory. The more telling detail is that the compound includes a bunker — 5,000 square feet, to be specific, with concrete walls and an escape hatch.
What does this tell us? It’s a sign that at least some of the ultra-rich are anxious about global events and are making contingency plans for the Big One — whatever form that may take.”
FBI and DHS Are Monitoring Gamers for Signs of ‘Extremism’
Reader C.B. sent us this, from Breitbart: FBI and DHS Are Monitoring Gamers for Signs of ‘Extremism’. Hereis a pericope:
“According to the GAO, the FBI and DHS have set up channels for receiving tips and information from gaming companies about potential law-breaking and extremist views. The FBI conducts briefings to gaming companies on perceived threats, while the DHS intelligence office holds meetings where companies can share information about online activities related to domestic violent extremism.
The report highlights the growing concern within the federal government regarding the use of gaming platforms and social media by extremist groups for recruitment, communication, and spreading their ideologies.”
JWR’s Comment: The most alarming aspect of this is that FBI policy now considers it “extremist” to be a Constitutionalist — lumping us together with genuine radicals. Traditional Catholics have been similarly targeted.
Federal Register: Alteration of Informed Consent
Reader Laura G. spotted this: Institutional Review Board Waiver or Alteration of Informed Consent for Minimal Risk Clinical Investigations. This definition is buried in the “comments and responses” section:
““Minimal risk” is defined in § 50.3(k) to mean that the probability and magnitude of harm or discomfort anticipated in the research are not greater in and of themselves than those ordinarily encountered in daily life or during the performance of routine physical or psychological examinations or tests.”
And buried even deeper in the responses, there is this sticking point:
“Under both FDA’s regulations and the revised Common Rule, minimal risk studies that may be reviewed by an IRB through an expedited review procedure can include studies that require the collection of blood samples by finger stick, heel stick, ear stick, or venipuncture under certain conditions.”
JWR’s Comments: So, presumably, this means that medical professionals will be able to surreptitiously perform physical or psychological examinations or a variety of diagnostic tests without the consent of patients. It is safe to assume, for example, that if a blood sample is taken for one disclosed test that part of that blood sample could be used for other, undisclosed pathological and nonpathological diagnostic or any sort of genetic tests, or to build genetic databases, without the patient’s knowledge or consent. The American medical community is on a slippery slope, folks!
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