Category: Odds ‘n Sods

The Islamic State’s suspected inroads into America. A map showing where Federal prosecutors have charged people with crimes in connection with the Islamic State. – G.P. o o o From our friends over at the Thoughts from Frank and Fern blog: On the Brink o o o Mike Williamson, SurvivalBlog’s Editor At Large wrote in: Why did they make them look like daleks? Crime-Fighting Robots Hitting The Streets In California. I can see legitimate observation and recon uses for this in reducing crime, as moving security cameras with interactive capability for victims. My concern is that someone will decide to …

Computers as judge, jury, and executioner – The risks — and benefits — of letting algorithms judge us. We aren’t to be judged, so we are algorithmed. – T.Z. o o o Doctors Urge California Residents “Leave Now…While You Can” As Gas Leak Fears Grow – Interestingly enough, I have some contacts in Texas that are telling me that this leak is small potatoes. There are apparently oil fields that have long had unstoppable leaks much larger than the one in California. o o o Denver Science Museum Reverses Course on Concealed Carry – T.P. “The new policy quietly went …

Internal War Is Now On The Horizon For America – B.B. o o o Max (of Max Velocity Tactical) wrote in with a link of his view in the Malheur situation. Incidentally, Max also has a new book out – Patriot Rising: The Unbroken available both as a paperback and a Kindle version. o o o SurvivalBlog reader J.B. sent in this interesting take on “North Korea’s H-Bomb: The Lesson You Haven’t Thought Of” – Certainly something to chew on as this election cycle heats up. o o o Cyber-Attack On Ukraine Proves US Power Grid Is Vulnerable Photo of …

Attorney KrisAnne Hall makes a solid case, supporting to goals of the Constitutionalist group that is occupying a Federal building in eastern Oregon. HJL Adds: It is important to remember that while we agree that the underlying principles that brought this mess in Burns, Oregon to a head are very important and that abuses have, are, and continue to be propagated by the Federal government, the methods and tactics employed by the Bundys and militia leave much to be desired. Bob Wright has written a letter titled “Why Bunkerville was so right and Burns is so wrong” that outlines our …

“Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will.” – Frederick Douglass

It appears that one of President BHO’s new executive orders (due to be signed on Wednesday) will expand the definition of “engaged in the business” selling guns, and this will hurt gun collectors and our gun shows. It appears that they are going to try to corral more INTRAState transactions of used merchandise into Federal jurisdiction, via the Commerce Clause, which is all about INTERstate commerce of newly-manufactured merchandise. They can “hope and change” this all they want, but it is unconstitutional. And we all know what Marbury v. Madison says about unconstitutional laws: We can ignore them. (“Lex malla, …

Doctors can report some mentally ill patients to FBI under new gun control rule – JBG o o o Reader P.S sent in this link to a “Graduation-rate Estimator”. For communities that are fairly well in the middle, it does a pretty good job of estimating graduation rates from high school. However, as you move towards the ends of the spectrum, it has trouble. It is possible on the estimator to get better than 100% graduation simply by paying your teachers more than anywhere else. Nonetheless, if you are looking for a tool to help you decide where to relocate, …

More details are beginning to emerge on the Oregon situation: Reader A.L. sent in this link to Mike Vanderboegh’s blog: No more free Wacos. Reader Joe K. sent in the link to Oathkeepers official statement: The Hammond Family Does NOT Want an Armed Stand Off, and Nobody Has a Right to Force One On Them. o o o A very good article about collectivism and freedom: One American’s Rage Spills Over: Dear Liberal… Here’s Why I’m So Hostile – L.A. o o o Those who have tangled with the American justice system know that it should not be confused with …

Reader P.H. wrote in: I just saw this a few minutes ago. It could turn out to be critical, or turn out to be nothing: Three of Cliven Bundy’s sons, militia seize federal building in Oregon. The “federal building” that they took over was the little offices at a National Wildlife Refuge 50 miles out in the countryside, outside of Burns, Oregon. It’s a kinda big deal but not nearly the deal that would have happened if they took over a “federal building” in town. I hope they brought sandwiches and dressed for the weather ’cause the government is going …

SurvivalBlog reader G.P. sent in this link to Building a Motion Detector Alarm That Reports Time and GPS Location Data. An interesting concept as long as the network stays up. o o o Swedish Society Collapsing Amid Horrific Crime Wave From Muslim Refugee Swarm – Now Trying To Stop Onslaught…. – Sent in by B.B. o o o Krayton Kerns welcomes his 15th grandchild into this world with a special letter: My Letter to Number 15 o o o The gun I got for Christmas: Photographer captures everyday Americans showing off their new weapons at the firing range the day …

The story of Obama’s executive end-run around the constitution (yet again) are starting to become known: Obama set to unveil curbs on gun sellers o o o Chuck Baldwin has written an excellent treatise on how the Republicans have sold out the American people who put them in place to stop Obama: Republicans Write Obama A Blank Check o o o A little humor for the new year. (You can’t make this stuff up!) Fight breaks out at Newark anti-violence rally o o o Run and Hide! It’s a sad state of affairs when we teach people to run and …

Should Christians be Encouraged to Arm Themselves? John Piper, chancellor of Bethlehem College & Seminary, recently wrote an article challenging Jerry Falwell’s speech at Liberty University in a campus chapel service in which Falwell encouraged his students to obtain CC permits. Piper’s argument is centered around the concept of turning the other cheek. However, SurvivalBlog reader R.N. wrote in with an excellent refutation of Piper’s argument: “Should Christians lock their doors? Should Christians install home security systems? Should Christians dial 911? Should Christians vote for laws that protect the innocent? Christianity is not advanced through force, nor do we take …

What’s good for the goose is good for the gander!: VA GOP to defund “protective services” in wake of political banning of CWP reciprocity – Sent in by RBS o o o G.P. sent a link with some charts showing some critical societal institutions and how public perception of them has slipped tremendously since the 1990s: America’s Decaying Institutions The rule of law is clearly in trouble in the United States. o o o MtH sent in this update to the ridiculous trampling of rights over your right to refuse service: Oregon bakery owners pay more than $135G in damages …

Conservative talk radio host Pete Santilli was arrested after police dispatch radio traffic mentioned that both he and his co-host “…vehicle matched to terrorist watch list, along with names.” Then the backpedalling began… This is quite troubling, even as an isolated incident. The chances of both the vehicle and the two radio hosts names INCORRECTLY matching the terrorist watch list are close to ZERO. The police chief reportedly spent an hour on the phone with the DHS before de-escalating the arrest. And doubtless part of this hour was being briefed on how to handle the upcoming CYA session with television …

Reader B.G. sent in the link to a Washington Post article detailing that the Justice Department just shut down a huge asset forfeiture program. It’s important to note that this is just a small part of the whole “asset forfeiture” system. States can still use state forfeiture rules, and it does not address seizures by federal agencies, like the FBI, DEA, or DHS. It’s ironic that an individual confiscating your property under the same rules would end up in jail for theft. I guess stealing is deemed okay, when you’re a government. o o o The Anti Safe Act Organization …