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.
—
The Department of Homeland Security’s newly-announced Disinformation Governance Board (DGB) has me puzzled. There is nothing in the DHS charter that mentions such an agency or function. So, I must ask: How can they exist without a congressional mandate nor congressionally-authorized funding? Is KGB DGB Director Nina Jankowicz planning to handle this in her spare time? By the way, I should mention that the leftist Democrat Nina Jankowicz has a degree in Russian Studies. How apropos, since it was the Russians during the Soviet communist era who coined the term dezintformatsaya. (Disinformation.) Take a few minutes to watch Montana-based commentator Matt Christiansen’s revelations about Nina Jankowicz, and his commentary on her disdain for the First Amendment. – JWR
o o o
In the Battle Over the Right to Repair, Open-Source Tractors Offer an Alternative.
o o o
Some wisdom from firearms trainer Frank Sharpe of Fortress Defense Consultants: Warning Shots.
o o o
Tennessee Makes Ivermectin Available Without Prescription.
3AD Scout posed this question:
“With the looming food shortages, supply disruptions and inflation many of us are diligently preparing by growing or raising our own food. Having a bountiful harvest will indeed be Blessing but we have to make sure we can preserve it. I recently took inventory of our canning jars and got to thinking about the servings and caloric value of our home-canned food. So I was wondering if anyone knows of a good source of nutritional value for home-canned vegetables and meats? I suspect that there will be a number of variables that will influence this but even a ballpark figure Would be appreciated. I am also wondering if most common home-canned vegetables in a quart jar would be four or more servings?”
o o o
Several readers sent this: Long COVID-19 may be caused by abnormally suppressed immune system in some people: UCLA-led study.
o o o
o o o
From reader L.E.:
“Apropos of the article on traveling light and being aware of con men and pickpockets and surreptitious gropers, what I have learned from many years of waiting at a downtown bus stop, is–as a female, the best response to unwanted attention it to hold up your hand arms length out and with a firm unsmiling stare, say “pick somebody else!”. For gropers, it’s: “watch your hands a**hole!!” Even if the groping was unintended due to crowding, it lets other potential gropers know you won’t allow such behavior and the threat of being publicly identified as such will be enough to make them think twice. But you yourself also have to face the idea that people will think you are nuts…
JWR’s Reply: The trade-off for anonymity is a lack of social cohesiveness. See my writings on the “we/they paradigm.” In essence, if a town is big enough that you can be anonymous, then it is probably too big for its civic leaders to consider repelling any outside ruffians.
o o o
Reader C.B. sent this, from Fox News: Colorado reports first human case of H5 bird flu in US in poultry worker.
o o o
Follow The Science Politics: CDC and FDA ‘altered’ Covid guidance and even ‘suppressed’ findings while under political pressure, bombshell report suggests: Whistle-blower employees say they feared ‘retaliation’ if they spoke up.
o o o
o o o
Mike R. offered this advice, in response to a recent query:
“It is pretty much agreed that storing lithium-ion batteries at a charge level of 40% to 50% keeps them working longest.
o o o
And, finally: Critics slam timing of Biden’s ‘ministry of truth’ to police internet for ‘disinformation’.
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.