Ground Zero Mosque...Islamaphobia, or Deliberate Provocation

Hey ya'll! Taking a break from taking a break because I feel the need to exercise my 1st amendment right.

If you haven't heard about the Islamic Center with a prayer room (aka Mosque) within visible sight of ground zero in New York, then I have to wonder which cave you've been living in.

Since 9/11, I have been very proud of my fellow Americans. 99% of us have shown great tolerance and respect toward our Muslim neighbors. A small minority have spoken out against all of Islam, but even they have used only their words. In general, I would say that it is because most Americans see a difference between liberal and moderate Muslims and the radical jerkoffs who carried out 9/11. (After all, we have the local example of liberal and moderate Christians vs. the "God hates America" radicals).

To put it plainly, we have Islamic centers all over the United States that haven't seen a bit of violence (I know of one or two instances, but that is in a sea of thousands). There is even a multi-denominational chapel near the 9/11 sight of the pentagon where Muslims pray. No one protests them. My muslim friends have only encountered one or two incidents over the past nine years. The radical muslims may believe that the United States is in a Holy War with Islam, but the people in general just haven't shown it. (And our recent charitable actions towards the disaster victims of Pakistan show different as well).

And now, suddenly, there is a nation-wide outcry of around 65% who oppose this one Islamic center. Why? Because the wound is still raw. And, in the vein of the way politics has been during this administration, the opponents are being "Islamaphobes", a word similar to racism...yes, I'm tired of simple political opposition being labeled racist as well. Its not a valid arguement...its just a way to end the arguement by saying, "sit down and shut up because we can't argue back.

Tolerance and respect are a two way street, though.

In the face of 65% opposition, one would think that the group organizing it would say, "You know...maybe this is a bad idea. Maybe we are being disrespectful. Lets move this to a place where people are less likely to be so upset." But no, they are repeating the "racist" line because they have no good reason for the center being placed where they want it.

So...are the opponents (in the face of a past that says differently) being intolerant? Or are the proponents being deliberately provocative?

Ethicist: Should this be the last generation?

http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/06/06/should-this-be-the-last-generation/?partner=rss&emc=rss

Go ahead. Read it. I can't tell if this guy is one of those environmental extremists that believe all humans should die, or if he's just so darn depressed about his own crappy childhood and adulthood that he thinks no human should ever again have children.

It seems to me that this is the direction the environmentalists are going. They are so depressed that they are practically suicidal. They simply can't go outside and enjoy the birds and trees, or enjoy digging in the dirt to plant their organic garden. They hate themselves and all of humanity so much they just want themselves, and the rest of us, to just die.

Trust me, this is a psychosis caused by the recent parenting phenom known as "children must be happy all the time". Parents and teachers, rather than expecting the child to behave, find ways to make and keep them "happy". And this crap is even filtering into the psychology of teachers and caregivers.

Hey, guys....the only people in my life who have ever been happy 24/7 were pot-smokers...and that is a big no-no. And what happens is a nervous, severly depressed adult who can't handle even the minor disappointments. They often end up on anti-depressents, self-medicating with illicit substances, or having an adult temper tantrum that turns dangerous. Or, they simply pretend to have a moral superiority over the rest of us and believe that we should all simply die to save the planet.

Well, to this group, I have one thing to say. Okay, but you first.

Amish Farmers Face Government Scrutiny

link to original article: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/09/science/earth/09amish.html

The E.P.A. has declared that the Amish version of farming (that is, using manure instead of synthetic fertilizers) is causing an environmental disaster, as it runs off into waterways.

But lets look at this from an angle the E.P.A. doesn't seem to have...common sense.

Long before mankind ever started farming....back when we were hunter-gatherers....animals created dookie. Ducks, geese, and swans poo. Deer poo. Rabbits poo. Raccoons and beaver poo. Yes, even lizards and amphibians poo. Guess what....fish poo, too. And that poo was more than likely to end up in the streams, rivers, lakes, and eventually the ocean. (Remember...sharks and whales poo, too.) Its a symbiotic relationship...animals eat the plants and breath the oxygen the plants create...in return, the animals create the carbon dioxide the plants themselves breath, and their poo in turn fertilizes the ground for the next generation of plants.

When mankind actually began farming, he realized that poo was good farming. Now, originally, this was done the cheap way....semi-nomadic herders were given the right to allow their animals to graze in fields after the grains were cut down. And, naturally, as animals poo while they are grazing, the field was fertilized.

The practice continued with crop rotation....traditional farmers would switch their fields around, and a field where animals grazed (and fertilized the ground) would be included...and the next year, the field would be wonderful for planting crops.

If you did take the time to read the article, you will notice that it is ADMITTED that synthetic fertilizers run off into the waterways as well. And yet, the E.P.A. has decided that its the ancient practice of fertilizing with manure that is causing the more recent problems.

So one has to wonder....is the E.P.A. scared of big chemical agro-business? Or are they in bed with them, and are simply trying to drive the small organic farmer out of business? Or is this just a part of the recent psychotic environmentalism that wants all humans and animals (yes, even the bunny in the forest and the dolphin in the ocean) to simply roll over and die?

I don't know. You decide for yourself.

And another urban myth floating around....

Another urban myth floating around is the belief that Census workers can enter your apartment you aren't there to count how many toothbrushes there are. Of course, people are upset about this because they fear their property being taken.

I've got good news for you....this rumor is another one that is quite simply wrong.

The specific law states that apartment managers and owners cannot prevent Census workers from going door to door in the complex (even where the law allows them to prevent door to door soliciting). If the Census workers are unable after many visits to contact the residents of the apartment, they do have the right to walk into the office and demand to see the paperwork that states who is suppose to be living there. However, they are NOT allowed to enter your apartment without your express permission. In fact, they shouldn't be "entering" your apartment at all.

----

Don't get me wrong, I'm not all cuddly about the Census. This is our third Census year...the previous two we had Census workers knock on our door to fill out the long form despite the fact that we had already filled out and sent in the short form as we were asked to by Big Brother. And frankly, I'll be really ticked if they knock on my door again (because they aren't suppose to be bothering those who have already fulfilled the obligation).

I'm just saying that we need to calm down and think about things before we go blabbing these urban myths...kay?

HOPI 2012 prophecy...a false prophecy?

To those who know me, I know I don't look it, but I am part First Nation (I tend to resemble my Norse and Celtic ancestors). But even before it was confirmed that I had a Cree ancestress, I had done extensive study on the Native American People before the arrival of whites from Europe. Of course, I also did the same for my Celtic and Norse ancestors before the arrival of the Romans, and I greatly enjoy the comparison and contrast between the cultures of both continents.

There was always one thing that stuck out in the contrast, though...as much alike as my Celtic and American ancestors were at varying degrees and levels, the Native Americans had no knowledge of metal.

Recently I came across a supposed Hopi prophecy about 2012. Well, I can tell you right now it is a FALSE prophecy with a modern author. How can I tell you this for certain? Because the prophecy speaks of "Snakes of Iron", meaning of course train tracks.

The Hopi people would have had NO IDEA what iron was until AFTER the arrival of whites from Spain, who would have also brought with them guns, cattle, and wheeled vehicles...other things that are mentioned in this so-called "prophecy".

My guess is that this prophecy was written in modern times. My guess is that it was written by some well-meaning white person who sees all white people as greedy, mean, and evil, and all brown people as angelic. Why do I say this? Well, with all of the nasty talk about the greedy white man in this prophecy, it gives a pass to any white person who grows their hair long and picks up aspects of the Native American culture. Convenient for the long-haired hippy white boy, eh?

Side Note: Trust me...human failings are universal. After all, it was the African Kings who sold their own people into slavery to the Dutch and English slavers, and it was Native American chiefs who sold their people's land thinking they were snookering the whites because they thought no one could own the land. (And no, I don't discount the human failing of the whites involved in these instances either. My point is that human failings trascend all races and creeds.) The only sweet and angelic people are the rest of us schmucks, of all races and creeds, going about our daily lives who end up getting injurred by the failings of others.

But the human failing where it concerns this prophecy is that well meaning people whose hearts are in the right place keep passing it on without using their God-given brains to even consider the fact that it is not a real prophecy. Just as with the wheel of life, the heart and mind also cannot work without one another.

For the sake of everything, people, use your frackin' heads!

Survivalism: Everyone should be a survivor

The image that people get in their minds when they think of survivalists is the same one that the media pushes...some guy sitting on a pile of MRE's and a cache of weapons waiting for the end of the world.

They don't even remotely talk about people who have some food and water stored up in their basement in the event of a tornado.

Our country (the United States, that is) has all kinds of disaster relief agencies, as well as individuals willing to help in the event of a natural or man-made disaster. The most notorious of these is FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency. However, we must all be aware of what truly goes on here. The government agencies first priority is not helping the individual victim of a disaster. Their #1 priority will be continuity of government. And often, they hand down the orders that prevent other relief agencies and individual volunteers from entering the area and lending a hand until they are certain that the government is in tact and working.

So, you are on your own. Or, perhaps, you and your neighbors are on your own. Thus, you are responsible for your own survival or rescue until FEMA has secured the government.

So....how does one take care of one's self?


#1

Have a plan. What are your more-than-likely emergencies? Around here, we don't get hurricanes...but we get plenty of tornadoes and ice storms. So, 99 times out of 100, we are going to be sheltering in place.

However, your more-than-likely emergency might be a hurricane. Or flooding. Or perhaps earthquakes and wild fires. Your plan may have to including "bugging out". Personally, I would suggest preparing for both.


#2

List what you will need. The important things you will need are water, food, shelter, protection, supplies, and communications. One of the things I always suggest is to get a Boy Scout manual and study the camping supplies list. No, you don't have to purchase everything on the list...just have them, or something similar. Your plan, like ours, may be sheltering in place (staying at home)...however, having a bug-out bag (also known as a "G.O.O.D.", Get Out Of Dodge, bag).

And then, of course, be ready! Check your supplies minimally twice a year....make sure everything is working and the food isn't expired. If there is a hurricane coming, be ready to leave before they give the evacuation signal. Have your bug-out bags ready in the event of an earthquake, fire, or flood and your house becomes dangerous to remain in.

#3 WATER

You will need to be able to locate, carry, and purify your water. This can be as simple as having a couple of cases of bottled water that you purchased at your grocery store. It can also be as complicated as having a Berkey water filter, touted as being able to filter the nasiest of stagnant pond water. Of course, for Bug-Out bags or vehicle, you will need to scale these down a bit. (There are smaller versions of water filters for camping).


#4 Food: No, you do not need to get MRE's (Meals Ready to Eat, or Meals Rejected by Ethiopians). You can have canned food that you are use to eating, like spaghetti-o's or Cambel's soup (or the organic equivilant). There are dehydrated meals in a cup that you add boiling water to and let it sit for 3-5 minutes...usually Ramen-style noodles or soups. There is also back-packing food.

And as you are getting your food, you have to think of how you are going to prepare it and eat it. Have plenty of water on hand for those items that need water. You can get camping equipment as a means to cook your food if necessary.


#5. Shelter.

This can be your own home, your vehicle, camping supplies, or a hotel in some far off place (and the money and means to get to that hotel room). Include light and heat (or cooling) as a part of this. In the event of an ice storm which takes out your power, you will be better off staying at home with a wood-burning fireplace and kerosene lantern than braving the icy streets to search for a hotel room that still has power.


#6 Protection

I know, my more liberal of friends are probably groaning right now. I'm not asking everyone to run out and buy and AK-47. However, you need some form of reliable protection. Trust me...the predators don't care about the economy or any liberal psychology of a perfect world. Predators are predators, and they take advantage of situations where their prey are helpless and vulnerable. How many rapes and robberies went on in the GOVERNMENT APPROVED SHELTER during and after hurricane Katrina? For heaven's sake...have at least some mace on hand. Take a self-protection course. You may not be just protecting yourself...you could be protecting someone helpless.


#7 Supplies

The list of supplies could be long. I suggest you look at the boy scout camping supply lists, as well as Bug-Out or G.O.O.D lists written by survivalists. Adjust the lists to your needs, and get the most important things first. Pay attention to the needs of small children (diapers, bottles), women (sanitary needs), and those with medical conditions (battery-run nebulizers, medications, etc.) Don't take "go to the hospital" from your doctor as an answer to your medical needs in times of an emergency....the hospital may be overwhelmed....or perhaps it won't even be there.


#8 communications

This can be as simple as a battery powered radio to listen to, or it can be a solar-powered AM/FM/Weather/Television with crank power backup, and military-grade walkie-talkies for each member of the family. The truth is, during a disaster, you will want a way to get information. Not to mention that often times, listening to the radio makes great therapy during a time of disaster....you know you aren't completely alone.

Peak Moment: 4-acres and Independence

This four-acre homestead is great! The video itself has a lot of great ideas about clearing scrap land, protecting geese from coyotes, building from scrap materials, solar drying, and other self-reliant subjects.

Warning to conservatives: Peak Moment is a video series by Peak Oilers (which many conservatives lable as "liberals"). Just remember....self-reliance is self reliance. We here at Smallacre Homestead read both Mother Earth News and Backwood's Home magazines. We may not agree on the reasoning, but we can all use the same techniques.



If the video fails, you can see it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tl01au5pXm0&playnext_from=TL&videos=bBO2iFbyhyU


(p.s. to guy in video....the moths you are finding in your jar are meal moths. They lay their eggs in dry food stores. Best methods to control them are pantry pest traps as well as "seek and destroy").