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. Note that we may select some long e-mails for posting as separate letters.
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Tracy M. sent us the link to this fascinating study: Mapping a Magnetic Superstorm: March 1989 Geoelectric Hazards and Impacts on United States Power Systems. Here is a brief excerpt:
“Electric fields induced in the Earth during magnetic storms can drive uncontrolled currents in electric-power systems, interfering with their operation. Geomagnetically induced currents realized during the magnetic storm of March 1989 caused a blackout in Québec, Canada, and, in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast United States, they caused operational interference for electric-power companies and damaged a high-voltage transformer. In support of projects for estimating geoelectric hazards and improving power-system resilience, maps are made of March 1989 magnetic-storm geoelectric hazards and corresponding impacts on United States power systems. Results are based on modeling geomagnetic monitoring data, geoelectromagnetic survey data, and a compilation of published reports of power-system interference. During the storm, electric-power system interference was concentrated where the lithosphere is relatively electrically resistive, and when and where the geoelectric field was of high amplitude.”
JWR’s Comment: This adds credence to my assertion that the safest places to live have low population density, and are in electric power exporting regions.
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From D.S.V.: Gun stores report record sales as Washington state prepares to enact new firearm law. JWR Adds: Stock up on magazines before June 30th, if you live in Washington!
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Those sneaky RINO sell-out Senators are at it again! Their “compromise” draft legislation package — 80 pages in all — has been released. It includes enhanced long gun purchase background checks for adults aged 18 to 20, Federal funding of state red flag laws, a bunch of mental health funding, and a redefinition of “engaged in the business” that would require more private party gun sellers to get an FFL for intrastate sales. Please contact both of your state’s U.S. Senators and tell them to vote NO on this unconstitutional legislation, and fillibuster it — or add “killer” amendments to it — if need be. The back door approach of the Federales funding states to enact unconstitutional red flag/ERPO laws is wicked!
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Reader L.E. sent this:
“Regarding the article on intense drought in Texas, do we know if the Texas power companies have in fact upped their game regarding potential power outages. My hypothetical scenario would be if the government actually demands that these power companies continue to provide electricity to customers regardless of whether they can make a profit or not (known as “the Biden way”), and some line in the sand gets crossed to where the CEO of the power company simply fires everyone, turns off the power, and leaves, taking one or two vitally important irreplaceable components with him as he heads to his private jet for an extended “vacation” outside the US. Let the government come in and run the show and see how well that works…”
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H.L. sent this: Delaware lawmakers pass historic gun legislation, including ban on sale of assault weapons. JWR’s Comments: Ominously, the new “passed at midnight” Delaware magazine ban has NO grandfather clause. I’m confident that this law will eventually be struck down by the courts for uncompensated “takings”, but that might take several years. Vote with your feet, folks!
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The latest video from Patriot Nurse: Why It’s Going to Be Worse Than You Think: Inflation, Reset and Global Order.
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When #Vanlife Meets the $300 Tank Fill-Up.
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Tractorguy sent this:
“To Connie. You described how you use rainwater when your wet weather creek dries up. Check out the article I wrote that was in the June 7, 2019 edition of SurvivalBlog A Gravity-Fed Rainwater System, by Tractorguy – SurvivalBlog. It tells how to catch your rainwater in elevated tanks so it flows by gravity and you don’t have to pump or haul it.”
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UK Government Launching ‘Grow for Britain’ Strategy as Food Crisis Looms. (A hat tip to H.L. for the link.)
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Tim J. sent this piece on natural refrigeration: Swiss Grottoes.
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Reader K.S. suggested this CDC web site: Tick Bite Prophylaxis.
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S.W. sent us this note:
“I recently got chickens as part of my own food security. Doing my best to keep it secret. I’m hearing from family in the area about their friends who have been visited by the bird flu police who are using the phony PCR test to ‘find’ bird flu in small family farm flocks and then ordering the chickens destroyed.
I’m doing everything I reasonably can to disguise and hide my small coop and scratch pen and have asked my few like-minded neighbors NOT to discuss my chickens with anyone else.
On another note: Drought has hit central Montana here on the east slope of the Rockies. We had a good snowpack so the reservoirs are full for irrigation, but not everything here is irrigated. A neighbor’s well just went dry. I’ve measured less than an inch of rain over the past two months. When it comes, it comes lightly and does not have a chance to soak in before it evaporates off the surface. I rely on collected rainwater for irrigation. My 6,000-gallon capacity pond hasn’t seen more than a few hundred gallons and that will soon be used up. I don’t know if my meager garden is going to make to harvest. We continue to get forecasts for the chance of rain, but all that means is that there will be brief showers somewhere within the forecast area. The outlook for dryland wheat and pasture is bleak. The ‘rainy’ season here is just about over.”
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And, lastly, there is this news: Study Shows Google Gmail Uses Algorithm To Mark GOP Mail As Spam. (Thanks to D.S.V. for the link.)
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