Does the Obama Administration Consider EVERYONE an extremist ?

These are some more people who might presently be classed as subversives........oops, to my way of thinking, many of them were patriots.  Perhaps we should be monitoring their descendants !

             


    There is a buzz among a number of my acquaintances.  It seems that a blog to which I don't subscribe, called "Off Grid Survival"  has published an entry in which they list the groups of people who would now be considered by the FBI as potentially "dangerous extremists".

Quoting from the blog itself the broadly redefined definiition includes the following people, whom the blog claims is likely to have an FBI file:

1.  Anyone who makes reference to the Bible.

Well, I do that fairly often.  There is great wisdom in the good book.  I don't think that people who use the Ten Commandments....are bad or unsafe people with whom to visit.

2.  Those who talk about the Constitution of the United States.

Well that's a funny thing.  I never mentioned the Constitution for most of my life, mostly because our government was adhering to it, and it was a yardstick for government programs and for legislation.  When it so clearly became circumvented and regarded as an archaic or quaint document, then yes, I mentioned it, along with millions of Americans who are asking what the heck is going on ?

3.  Those who speak about Supreme Court decisions.

EVERYONE is speaking of the Supreme Court decision in which Obamacare was upheld as a tax !
Our government is now permitted to tell us that we can buy anything they wish us to, and precedent has been set that it will simply be a tax.     First, it's health insurance, then if Mrs. Obama gets a second term, it will be fat free mayonnaise, then the second year of Mr. Obama's second term, it will be an American hybrid car, so that we may stimulate our downed economy !

4. Those who talk about treaties with foreign governments.

Most people oppose Europe or any other failing economic system to dictate edicts which impede the sovreignty of the United States.   Who in their right mind would be FOR treaties which removed the right for Americans to have guns under any circumstances, and who removed the ability for people in the US to homeschool, or to use vitamin or mineral supplements ?   Yet all of this is being perpetrated as we speak.

5.  Those who may socialize and speak of their ideology.

This is so broad it's ridiculous.   If I talk canning at the church supper, does that make me a survivalist or a realist ?   Oops, I'm at a church supper.  Does THAT alone, but me a place on a list ?

6.  Those who refer to themselves as "Constitutionalists" or "free men".

I have two friends who are former professors of  law, one at the University of Virginia, and one at the University of Richmond.  These are hardly hotbeds of dissident thought !  One of them wrote speeches for a very prominent political figure who is a democrat.  They each talk of "The Constitution" constantly because, I suppose, they are Constitutional scholars.   Does this make them dissidents ?  When I speak of the Constitution in my comparatively limited way to them, does this do the same to me ?

Take a look at the article:

http://offgridsurvival.com/fbianti-governmentextremists/


By broadest of definition, most of the people in nursing homes, elementary schools, police departments, hospitals, some universities, hardware stores,  churches, feed stores, pharmacies, doctor's offices, etc. are extremists.  It started with the "food and mayonnaise police"  and it looks as if it's trending toward "thought police" as well.

I think the list is incomplete.    It doesn't include mothers,  homeschoolers,  people who actually have jobs, people who buy gasoline for cars, people who pay taxes,  Wal-Mart shoppers, those who coupon shop to buy ahead,  those with a retirement account, homeowners, those with a student loan, those who participated in a tea party as children, or  fathers.  Believe me, all of these people are presently disgruntled as they watch the the United States sink into oblivion, taking the world with it.
        OK,  I will accept that I have an FBI file because I have a blog on the subject of "Rational Preparedness".   Just so long as everyone I have mentioned in the list above has one too.
 
 What's next ?   Using armed patriot missiles to blow up cars which commit traffic infractions ?
   

What is Hyperinflation ?

More cash printed does not make the US better off. It actually worsens our situation.  Printing more money or "Quantitative Easing" fuels an inflationary spiral.

          

    I did not enjoy the college course I took in Economics.  In fact, I wrote an entire paper on how Economics is "soft and squishy science" as it attempts to use scientific principles to explain and predict human behaviors, much as Sociology does.   My  Phd economics professor, who was from Ireland, probably didn't like me much, but he did not let my views on his life's work adversely impact my grade.
             Economics is still hounding me, all these years later, and I still disagree with some of the view of economists in general.
                Hyperinflation is what occurs when a government prints additional money in fairly large amounts.  Basically, more paper chases the same amount of goods and services, and therefore everything from oranges to a new well installation will cost more paper, as a result.  Hyperinflation is not peculiar to the world in the present.  There are many times when hyperinflation has occurred. Sometimes it has occurred because excess money was printed. Sometimes political instability or mismanagement created hyperinflation. Sometimes war has generated hyperinflation.

The chart which follows deals with percentage of inflation per month, the years this occurred, and the nation in which it occurred.   These are good examples, but are certainly NOT an inclusive listing.

These are example of hyperinflation:

COUNTRY	YEAR(S)	HIGHEST INFLATION PER MONTH %
FRANCE	1789-96	143.26
GERMANY	1920-23	29,525.71
AUSTRIA	1921-22	124.27
POLAND	1921-1924	187.54
SOVIET UNION	1922-24	278.72
HUNGARY	1923-24	82.17
GREECE	1942-45	11,288.00
HUNGARY	1945-46	1,295,000,000,000,000,000.00
TAIWAN	1945-49	398.73
CHINA	1947-49	4,208.73
BOLIVIA	1984-86	120.39
NICARAGUA	1986-89	126.62
PERU	1988-90	114.12
ARGENTINA	1989-90	196.60
POLAND	1989-90	77.30
BRAZIL	1989-93	84.32
YUGOSLAVIA	1990	58.82
AZERBAIJAN	1991-94	118.09
CONGO	1991-94	225.00
KRYGYZSTAN	1992	157.00
SERBIA	1992-94	309,000,000.00
UKRAINE	1992-94	249.00
GEORGIA	1992-94	196.72
ARMENIA	1992-94	438.04
TURKMENISTAN	1993-96	62.50
BELARUS	1994	53.40
KAZAKHSTAN	1994	57.00
TAJIKISTAN	1995	78.10
BULGARIA	1997	242.70
ZIMBABWE	1997	2,600.20

SOURCE : Monetary Regimes and Inflation:History,Economics and Political Relationships by Peter Bernbolz Northampton,Mas:Edward Edgar Publishing 2003


              This is important because we must accept, as Americans, and then as citizens of the world, that hyperinflation, which has destroyed many an economy, is coming for ours as well.  We must accept that this is a problem, in order to try to goad our representatives into behaving more responsibly.   If this fails, then we need to have reasonable and effective plans for survival for our own families.through such times.

              I am not an economist, and I don't even play one on the radio, however, it is my opinion that without sweeping course correction, which I do not believe will be forthcoming, that the US is headed for a hyperinflationary spiral.   More posts on this are to come.

Confessions of a Closet Canadian

               All right. I am coming out.  I am a closet Canadian.  In Russia, after 9-11,  I even let them think I was Canadian !   As those of you who know me, already know, we have a summer place in Canada, and I love being there every minute that I can.  My paternal grandmother's ancestors were some of the first settlers from England and Scotland there, and are in the history books of Nova Scotia.    The time we spend there is never enough.  Of course part of the attraction is the land, the people and the lower temperatures than the American South, and some of it is that although we own a home there, we don't earn a living there, and so we are somewhat insulated from whatever the annoyances or drawbacks are to living probably anywhere on Earth.  For us it is a vacation paradise, and the lower population than the US, is simply a plus and this adds to the charm.

                Of course, with all the serious goings on in U.S. politics, and the dilutions of American freedoms, a lot of people here are joking about moving to Canada. This is quite impossible for most Americans, us included.  Canada fiercely protects it's borders, and it's citizen's jobs in a manner in which I wish the United States would.     Canada will also deport those who overstay the allotted time, and once you are deported,  you will never be permitted back, even for a visit !    This would be a terrible punishment !  So I am afraid my strategy to learn and to sing the Canadian National Anthem to Immigration next time I get off the plane in Halifax must remain tongue in cheek, for now. Rather than embracing me as a lost Canadian daughter, they are more likely to admit me to a hospital there for a supposed psychosis, and then bill my US insurance !

          So instead I will share my own special little commemorative song which I wrote in about five minutes, intended to be sung to the tune of the Canadian National Anthem  "Oh Canada".



                     "Jane's Canada"                   by Jane of Virginia

        With apologies to Canadians and to the Canadian government....


               Oh Canada,
               My glorious vacation land.
               Tim Horton's abound.....All over your gorgeous land.
               From the people so fair.....to the crisp clean air,
               To the lobster on our plates.
               To the lovely trees and the honeybees..and the
               Lakes, the oceans and the streams

               Oh Canada
               Can I come live with you ?
               I will re-cycle the way you want me to.
               I'll learn the anthem if I can come to you !




          If you would like to hear the tune, and the real Canadian National Anthem, which is a good deal longer I have embedded it below. Keep in mind though, that Canada is not for slouches, with two official languages, (ou deux langues officiel). There is a French version of the National Anthem which you should learn too ! We'll leave out learning the Inuit version for now.


     



OK, so I must admit, we can't go and live in Canada, however, we CAN have terrific vacations there, which I completely and unconditionally recommend. Thanks also to all of you who have offered to sponsor us as a result of this post. This is just furthur proof of the decency and generosity of Canadians. For now, the post is simply intended for both your and my amusement and a tribute to my part-time homeland.

Happy Independence Day for the US

                                        



               Happy Birthday United States of America !     As you celebrate this holiday, either in the Eastern half of the country where you may be without electricity due to the storms or dry due to drought.  Or you may be in the Western part of the country where wildfires presently abound, please use common sense and care, should you use fireworks or any sparkler products whatsoever.   Fire crews are spread thin today, as are water supplies.  Please stay safe.

              This is also the occasion of the 200th blog post to "Rational Preparedness" .  Happy Birthday to this blog, as well.

                                                           __________________

          
 Heavenly Father,

           On this day in which we commemorate the birth of our country, there are many forces within and without her government which work to destroy her, and to destroy the economy and the freedoms of her inhabitants.  Yes, many Americans have lost their way, and given into popular culture and to self destruction, but many of us haven't.  Many of us remain as the obedient children we were when we first learned of you when we were first aware here on Earth.   Please guide and protect us, our families, and our nation, as we endure trial by fire in many ways, both literal, and in terms of either  corruption, treason, and politically induced ethics violations, in both our presidential regime, and our land's highest court.   Please walk with us Lord.

          May also this blog continue to be a force for good in the world, and a tribute to Daniel and my Dad who both rest with you now.  In Jesus name I pray.

     Amen.

The Brown Widow Spider ?

Lactodectus Geometricus, the brown widow)  It DOES have the characteristic red hourglass on the inner aspect of its abdomen.

  
 


     First discovered in the US within Florida, in 1935 the brown widow spider, lactrodectus geometricus
  is claiming new areas as habitat. The brown widow spider, has been making significant inroads in the habitats of black widow spiders. Generally, the brown widow has a less toxic bite than the black widow, but because brown widow spiders are less easily seen in campsites, outdoor areas, dog houses, sheds,greenhouses, trashcans, garages,  under picnic tables etc., bites are likely to be higher in incidence. The most recent study, which will be released in The Journal of Medical Entomology shortly, indicates that the brown widow is displacing habitat from the black widow.   The study presently applies to Southern California, however, it is a reasonable assumption that brown widows will be located soon, in other hot states, such as the Southwest and the American South soon, especially since significant progress in terms of habitat takeover have been made by these spiders in a very short time.

        This spider is suspected by entomologists to have evolved in Africa. It presently is known to definitively occupy Hawaii, California, Texas, Georgia, Louisiana and Mississippi, and South Carolina.   These are also found in Australia, Caribbean Islands, Japan, Cyprus and South Africa.  This is a prolific spider. It is reasonable to believe that it will continue to spread in warm climates, so keep an eye on its spread to your area too, in the coming years.  This spider likes woody vegetation.

       From a medical standpoint, although the brown widow bite is felt to be a less dangerous bite than a black widow, it is still the bite of a lactrodectus species.  It is still possible for human beings to react in a severe manner or anaphylactic or severe allergic manner,  to such a bite, which could require hospital care.  At least one person in the US has required hospitalization and advanced care following the bite of a brown widow. At least one reference, I have listed below, expressed that their experience with the brown widow is that the venom is MORE toxic than the venom of black widows.  (This is not corroborated by Univ. of California, at Riverside)  It is possible that there is subgroups variability in the California varieties and those found in Florida or Louisiana for example.

        It is recommended that we store rarely used items in sealed freezer bags to avoid the eggs and spiders of these and other species, from invading our items.

Research on this newer invasive species is ongoing.





References for this blog post:

Members of the media who would like the full report should write to pubs@entsoc.org or call 301-731-4535, ext. 3009.

The Journal of Medical Entomology is published by the Entomological Society of America, the largest organization in the world serving the professional and scientific needs of entomologists and people in related disciplines. Founded in 1889, ESA today has more than 6,000 members affiliated with educational institutions, health agencies, private industry, and government.

 For more information, visit http://www.entsoc.org.
CONTACT:
Richard Vetter
University of California, Riverside
rick.vetter@ucr.edu

 (They are collecting and researching these spiders)

http://cisr.ucr.edu/brown_widow_spider.html

http://brownwidowspider.net/index.htm

Preventing Heat Exhaustion in Animals

                         We have raised animals of different varieties in the Southern United States for twenty-five years, and there are some general rules which apply here, and in many if not most places.   The first is that all animals need access to clean water 24 hours a day 7 days a week.  This may sound obvious, but I do still occasionally see people who fill their pets water indoors only when they feed that pet, and the dish runs dry between feedings.  There are a number of devices, one can buy to ensure a continuous supply of water for your pet, even if you are away for a day or two.

This auto-waterer is for sale for about $24.00 US.   There are many other varieties inclduing one which uses a two liter soda borrle your provide and only has the base.   This can be used indoors, or even outdoors in a shaded region.

 The nicest thing about such containers is that although they are primarily intended for dogs and cats, they can be used for ferrets, chickens, ducks and many other types of animals particularly because these are sold in a variety of sizes. They are also fairly durable.



            For larger animals, I use a smaller durable bucket.     For alpacas I use a large plastic bucket for this purpose, and for dogs, I use a smaller one.

This is a flat back Fortex brand bucket which I use for alpacas waters. 

I use these smaller flat back buckets for dog waters.  These collect easily, fill quickly, and are easily cleaned.  One can carry multiple buckets when changing waters for many.  You would be surprised as to how much water even a medium sized dog can drink on a really hot day.

            Our vet says that sometimes, purchasing a large bag of ice and periodically adding some to dog water on really hot days can be a good idea.  She says that even an hour in really extreme heat can turn a dogs bucketed water into very hot water he will not drink.   She says the ice can make the water in the container drinkable for the dog longer than it would have been.

          I have a lot of inexpensive thermometers hung in our kennel and in a couple of hidden places where we rotate larger dogs on the farm as sentries.   These areas can get much hotter than you might otherwise believe.   You must make arrangements for even outdoor dogs who normally tolerate sun quite well, for shade in extreme weathers.

(  The plan for this particular run in can be purchased through horseloversstore.com  )

( This is their scaled down 8 x 12 version.  Plans can be purchased at  horseloversstore.com )

            The picture above is an artist's rendering of a horse run in.  We have a couple of these on the farm in outlying areas for alpacas.  This year, my husband built one, scaled down, for our large golden retriever male, Ben.    Ben's doghouse when he does sentry duty is way too hot for summer, but a scaled down run in, offers shade, and allows air circulation.     When it gets a little cooler, we plan to build an additional one for Skye, who also does outlying sentry duty.

This is another version of a hot weather dog house.  The overhang can be a good idea for a dog in hot weather.

The two pictures immediately above and below this label came from:

http://www.toolcrib.com/blog/2009/10/24-free-dog-house-plans-peaked-roof-a-frames-dog-shelters-kennels-and-more

             If a dog is ever disoriented, in warm weather, then he needs to come indoors to a cooler location.  We keep one air conditioned room for supplies, and we have been known to allow an elderly dog to rest there, or in an indoor room in extreme heat.  Dogs also should not go for a run with you, if they are already headed for heat exhaustion.  Remember that animals develop heat exhaustion little by little usually over days, not just on one day.  Their dehydration is usually progressive over days.

            I do make sure that my alpacas have salt blocks in all weathers.   Vets tell us that dogs and cats do not require additional salt and that it can be toxic for them.

            I did learn something this week about chickens though.  Normally chickens receive plenty of salt from their food sources.  However, a breeder from Texas indicated to me that when temperatures reach 105-110 or 115 F that chickens benefit from having three things available to them as well as their normal rations.    One is plenty of cool water. Second is a small dish of lemon gatorade for energy and shock.   Third is a very small dish of water with two pinches of salt.  Apparently a little bit of salt in extreme weather can be beneficial to them.   We have not lost any additional chickens to heat exhaustion since we began doing this in very hot weather.  It is now our "extreme hot weather protocol for chickens".   We have not done this with ducks.

Violent Thunderstorms

Even in suburban areas, big trees are down.  (WRVA)

        

(Photo: James H. Wallace-Richmond Times Dispatch )

   The end of June here has been marked by some uncharacteristically severe storms.  Several days ago, a tornado came through the area, and although our farm was untouched by anything but heavy rain that day, farms and forests nearby were damaged.   When the tornado was gone, I took a quick run out to make sure our daughter's new house was still intact, and after I found out that it was, I wound up leading people from that region, out to another access to the interstate highway, as so many roads were closed due to large downed trees, and downed power lines.  It has been very hot even for Virginia in Summer.  We have been very busy keeping chickens, ducks, dogs, and livestock alive in the extreme heat.   Sadly, five chickens died in the extreme heat this week, as did one elderly duck.  Then, on Thursday, a severe thunderstorm came through which picked up the main wooden chicken coop and threw it down elsewhere.  This killed five additional chickens due to trauma.   This was not due to the tornado, but due to a wind shear which came through about a day after.  Even my iron lawn furniture was picked up and relocated !   The damage from the last wind shear caused us to lose power, which is likely to stay out for a time, with 13 million people on the US East Coast without power.
             We have a military generator here, but honestly, we do not use it often.  As a result of not using it often, even though we check it fairly often, when we need it, we sometimes have some issues.  Keep in mind that without power, we cannot pump water, in 105 degree humid heat where to keep animals alive we must have lots of water.  My husband replaced the generator batteries, and now sees that one of the sensors has malfunctioned.  We will need to order this online on Monday.   Meanwhile, we can pump water, use the internet, run refrigeration, and some lights.  We cannot run central air conditioning, and we therefore have an emergency air conditioner for one region. We use gas for cooking, but no one here feels like cooking and so we are consuming fruit and water, and the occasional sandwich.
             We are grateful for the favor that since we had the lightning protection installed to all the buildings and three tall oaks here, the lightning has seems more active in other places.

  

Roads are closed everywhere.