Environmental
Sunlight and Lime Naturally Purify Water, Could Solve Global Water Crisis
Anthony Gucciardi
NaturalSociety
April 18, 2012
Natural sunlight and a slice of lime could potentially be the answer to the global water crisis, affecting millions of individuals worldwide who do not have access to water filtration services. Found to effectively remove all detectable levels of harmful bacteria such as E. coli, sunlight and lime work together as powerful disinfectants. Perhaps the most amazing part is that it only takes 30 minutes for this effect to take place, making it extremely fast as well.
The news could also prove useful for many first world citizens, who may not have access to water purification systems while traveling or even just looking to reduce their bacteria content in local water. While certainly no substitute for a powerful reverse osmosis or carbon filter with regards to the removal of heavy metals and other chemicals, the health-promoting combination can aid any water supply. In fact, adding lime or enjoying water with lemon is an extremely effective way to fight unwanted fat and boost your immunity.
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Cyber Space
MegaUpload Case Not a Slam Dunk, Judge Says
By Christina DesMarais, PCWorld Apr 21, 2012 6:18 AM
MegaUpload founder Kim Dotcom may not be going to trial after all on charges of copyright infringement.
That’s according to the judge in the case, and the development comes after months of drama involving the now shuttered filing-sharing website.
U.S. District Judge Liam O’Grady made the proclamation while hearing arguments about deleting MegaUpload member files, which are enormously expensive to maintain.
The judge said a discussion about wiping MegaUpload’s database could be premature and that a more relevant question was why MegaUpload had not been formally served with criminal papers by the United States.
Attorneys on both sides weighed in.
Dotcom’s attorney, Ira Rothken, maintained that whereas individuals can be served outside of U.S. jurisdiction, foreign companies cannot, reports TorrentFreak.
“My understanding as to why they haven’t done that is because they can’t. We don’t believe MegaUpload can be served in a criminal matter because it is not located within the jurisdiction of the United States,” he said, according to the New Zealand Herald.
Prosecutor Jay Prabhu alluded to Dotcom as an individual who owned 68 percent of the now shuttered company.
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Survival / Sustainability
Week 1 of 52: Short Term Emergency Food Supply (List 1)
Tess Pennington
Ready Nutrition
FEMA suggests that each family have a 2 week supply of food and water for their home. Starting a food supply does not have to be a budget breaker. By slowly accumulating emergency supplies, you will not feel the financial “burn” compared to having to pay for everything up front. Therefore, keeping in mind what type of emergencies that you are planning for, if there are any family members with medical needs, how long you want your food supply to last, and so on, will help you make the best choice for your family.
Taking time to read the nutritional information on the back of the food source and knowing other considerations, will help a person make the best choices for their needs. If a person needs to use their stashed food supply, having foods high in vitamins, nutrients, and proteins will provide their body with what it needs for needed energy and mental clarity.
Preps to buy:
- 1 gallon of water per day for each family member (But enough for 2 weeks and remember that having more water stored up is better than being short on your supply)
- 2 jars of peanut butter
- 2 cans of juice per family member
- 2 cans of meat per family member
- 2 cans of soup or stew for each family member
- 3 non perishable items such as saltine crackers, graham crackers, etc.
- 1 hand operated can opener
- Permanent marker
- Additional supplies for infants or elderly – 2 weeks worth (diapers, wipes, children’s medication, formula, protein/calorie drinks, prescription medications, extra pair of glasses)
For those who have pets:
1 large container of dry food – This amount should last 2 weeks or longer
Action Items:
- Date perishable goods with a marker
- If possible, set aside $20 to use for emergencies
- Make a disaster plan and decide what types of disasters you are planning for (weather related, natural disasters, economic or personal disasters)
- Decide upon an out-of-area contact who can coordinate information with friends and family members.
- Once the out-of-area contact has been decided, email or call the newly designated emergency contact and provide phone numbers and names of family members for them to call.
Are You Ready Series: 72 Hour Kits
Tess Pennington
Ready Nutrition
Many prepping websites have multiple articles on 72 hours bags (aka: evac packs, bug-out-bags, blow out bags or survival kits). Every family should have a 72 hour bag ready, not because we should all run for the hills, but because there may be an unforeseen disaster where your family will have to make a swift evacuation. Certain disasters can occur very quickly such as fires, hurricanes and flooding. Having things in order as well as a plan in place will expedite the process of leaving as well as keeping things running as smoothly as possible. The main goal of having a 72 hour bag is to be equipped to survive. In this case, survival is dependent upon you. Therefore, the 72 hour bag should be pre-assembled and ready to go as well as have a 72 hour bag seperately for the vehicle.
Personally speaking, when I assembled my family’s bug out bags it took a few hours to run through the house getting all the supplies in order. If I was in a time sensitive situation, I would have forgotten half of the items I packed. It’s essential that your B.O.Bs (Bug Out Bags) are ready to go.
What To Put Into a 72 Hour Bag?
What would your family need for 3 days? Better yet, what items would you take out of your house that would save your life for 3 days? It does not really matter what type of bag is used to place your items in. Many people use duffel bags, backpacks and suitcases to store their gear in. However, many experts advise that the bag or container should be waterproof. For those with multiple people in their family, each person in the family should have their own 72 hour bag that is placed into a large plastic container. A bag or container with a carrying handle would be advisable if the container holds many items or is for a family. Some thoughts to keep in mind when preparing your 72 hour bag are:
- Have a plan in place (choosing the location, let family members know where your destination is, the contact information, a secondary destination, etc.)
- Keep the basic needs in mind: food, water, shelter, clothing, safety and communication.
- Try and find items that are light weight, functional and versatile so that carrying them in a container will not be a strain.
- Take your bag out and use it a few times to test that nothing is forgotten.
Food
A little food can go a long way if you are creative enough. Find a stove to cook food in, and boil water. Try and find foods that are light weight an high in calories and have lots of energy. Have enough food for a 3 day period. Some possible food suggestions would be:
- MRE’s
- Crackers
- Pasta
- Hard Candy
- Energy Bars
- Dried Fruits and Nuts
- Instant Oatmeal
- Granola Bars
- Powdered Milk
- Jerky
Some other suggestions for meals would be:
- Bouillon Cubes
- Instant Rice/Mashed Potatoes
- Dried Soups
- Camping Freeze Dried Foods
- Gum
- Instant Pudding
- Powdered Drink Mixes (Tang, Crystal Light)
- Paper Plates, Cups and Eating Ware
Water
Having a good water supply is more important than food. A person cannot go without 3 days of water so have a plentiful amount. At a minimum, each person should have one gallon of water per day. In an emergency situation, such as a natural disaster, water is one of the first items to disappear off of a store shelf. If you can pack more water, then go for it. Many feel that due to the bulky nature of water bottles, it would add too much weight for the 72 hour kits. Therefore, many carry 1-2 liters of water and have water purification tablets or a water filter on hand. Here are some ideas for carrying water:
- Individual water bottles in the pack, gallon jugs of water, etc.
- Canteen
- Collapsible water container
- Water filter
- Water purification tablets
Clothing
Clothes in the 72 hour bag should be rotated every season and be appropriate to the environment you are in. Having items in your bag that can be layered is a great option.
- If it is the winter season: Pack all cold weather essentials in maintaining body heat: Layered clothing, warm hat preferably with flaps over the ears, waterproof pants, mittens, etc.
- Work Gloves
- Have at least one change of clothing in your bag and two extra pairs of socks.
- A good pair of boots (hiking or combat boots) with a deep trench in the sole.
- Rain Suit
- Poncho
- Hat to keep the sun off your face.
- Bandanna
Shelter
A shelter is to keep out the natural elements at bay as well as provide a warm place to sleep to maintain body temperature.
- Tents (lightweight)
- Sleeping bag
- Durable long lasting emergency blankets
- Tube tent (emergency shelter)
- Tarp
- Garbage bags can even be used for a shelter.
- Mylar emergency blankets
Fire
Having fire lighting gear will help maintain proper body temperature, assist in cooking food, and boiling water. If an emergency arises and you have to leave, you want to be able to have items on hand to make a fire to stay warm.
- Waterproof matches
- Magnesium Fire starters
- Cigarette Lighters
Communication
In a survival situation, communication is key. Family members and friends want to know that everyone is safe and sound and have made it to their ideal locations. Additionally, news sources such as radios need to be heard to find out if you are in a safe location, safe to go back to your home or are in a dangerous area.
- Cell Phone
- A 2-way radio
- Radio to get news and information.
- Whistle
- Battery powered tv
- Scanner to hear about police situations and fires that may be in the area
- Signals such as whistles, flares and mirrors are important
Tools
Tools will be used for a variety of reasons. Tools for hunting, shoveling, cutting, and for navigational purposes are all essential items for a 72 hour bag.
- Knives ( to cut large machete type and a smaller Gerber hunter)
- Multi-tool
- Camping shovels
- Candles
- Hammer or hatchet
- Collapsible fishing pole with hooks, line, bobbers, etc.
- Flares
- Maps, compass or GPS devices ( Having extra compasses ensures that navigation is accurate).
- Rope (paracord),
- Knife sharpening stone,
- Flash light with extra batteries
Written Survival Sources
In a high stress situation that some are not used to, forgetfulness plays a part from dealing with all the changes that are occuring. Having some manuals to look upon for survival information, or for spiritual information to lift the moral is a good idea and does not take up much space.
- Survival Manuals
- First Aid Manuals
- Bible
Safety
There is no guarantee that everything will go as planned. There are times when emergencies arise. Having a well stocked first aid kit is essential in the case that someone gets injured. Taking a basic first aid course to give the proper aid is an instrumental tool in providing the right type of care. First aid kits should be filled with every type of first aid gear that could be needed.
- Band-aids
- Antiseptic
- Gauze pads
- Medical tape
- Tourniquet
- Celox (Emergency Blood Clotting Granules)
- Bug spray
- Sunblock
- Poison ivy cream
- Skin irritation cream
- Pain reliever
- Anti-Diarrhea Medicine
- Prescription medicine
- Cold/Flu medicine
- Scissors
Weapons are another way of maintaining safety. Having the ability to defend yourself is another aspect to keep in mind.
- Hand gun
- Rifle
- Shot gun
- Knives
- Taser
Hygiene
In a bug out situation, many assume it could be for a few days, but it could be for longer periods of time. Keeping yourself clean is not only beneficial to those around you, but also to maintain health. Hygiene items are a good idea to put in your 72 hour bag:
- Toilet Paper
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Cleaning Wipes
- Soap
- Shampoo/Conditioner
- Laundry Detergent
Personal Documents
When fleeing to a location other than your home, have the proper identification, and emergency information with in the case that you need to present it to a police officer, red cross disaster worker, state trooper, park ranger, etc.
- Journal (with a pen)
- Identification Information (drivers license, passports, wills, marriage licenses, birth certificates, social security cards, proof of address)
- Licenses for guns or for fishing, etc
- Health Insurance Information
If a disaster hits, and you are unprepared to flee the situation, fear and panic set in and mistakes are made. To better access the situation, preparation makes all the difference. Knowledge and preparation helps to control fear and keep a person calm. Calmness and clarity are the emotions that a person wants in a disaster situation. A 72 hour bag for multiple family members can take a longer amount of time than one may think. Having it pre-assembled and ready to go can put a person ahead of the game when it comes to bugging out. The more prepared a person is, the calmer they will be while evacuating.
72 Hour Kit E-Books:
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Whistle Blowers
Whistleblower: The NSA is Lying — The U.S. Government Has Copies of Most of Your Emails
Editor’s note: The following is a transcript of a Democracy Now! 4-part series on America’s growing surveillance state.
National Security Agency whistleblower William Binney reveals he believes domestic surveillance has become more expansive under President Obama than President George W. Bush. He estimates the NSA has assembled 20 trillion “transactions” — phone calls, emails and other forms of data — from Americans. This likely includes copies of almost all of the emails sent and received from most people living in the United States. Binney talks about Section 215 of the USA PATRIOT Act and challenges NSA Director Keith Alexander’s assertion that the NSA is not intercepting information about U.S. citizens.This interview is part of a 4-part special. Click here to see segment 1, 2, and 4.
(Editor’s note: Also interviewed are Laura Poitras, the Academy Award-nominated filmmaker, and Jacob Appelbaum, a computer security researcher who has volunteered with WikiLeaks. Both Poitras and Appelbaum have been repeatedly detained and interrogated by federal agents when entering the United States. Their laptops, cameras and cell phones have been seized, and presumably their data has been copied.)
http://www.democracynow.org/embed/show/2012/4/20
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Psy – Ops
Stigmatizing Resistance to Authority
The medicalization of rebellion.
In 1861 Samuel A. Cartwright, an American physician, described a mental illness he called “drapetomania.” As Wikipedia points out, the term derived from drapetes, Greek for “runaway [slave],” and mania for madness or frenzy.
Thus Cartwright defined drapetomania as “the disease causing negroes to run away [from captivity].”
“[I]ts diagnostic symptom, the absconding from service, is well known to our planters and overseers,” Cartwright wrote in a much-distributed paper delivered before the Medical Association of Louisiana. Yet this disorder was “unknown to our medical authorities.”
Cartwright thought slave owners caused the illness by making “themselves too familiar with [slaves], treating them as equals.” Drapetomania could also be induced “if [the master] abuses the power which God has given him over his fellow-man, by being cruel to him, or punishing him in anger, or by neglecting to protect him from the wanton abuses of his fellow-servants and all others, or by denying him the usual comforts and necessaries of life.”
He had ideas about proper prevention and treatment:
[I]f his master or overseer be kind and gracious in his hearing towards him, without condescension, and at the sane [sic] time ministers to his physical wants, and protects him from abuses, the negro is spell-bound, and cannot run away. . . .
If any one or more of them, at any time, are inclined to raise their heads to a level with their master or overseer, humanity and their own good requires that they should be punished until they fall into that submissive state which was intended for them to occupy in all after-time. . . . They have only to be kept in that state, and treated like children, with care, kindness, attention and humanity, to prevent and cure them from running away. [Emphasis added.]
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Articles of Interest
University of Texas researchers design chip allowing mobile devices to see through walls
April 20, 2012
Madison Ruppert
End The Lie
As unbelievable as it sounds, researchers at the University of Texas at Dallas have created an imager chip for mobile devices which would turn an ordinary cell phone into something which can see through walls, wood, plastics, paper, skin and other objects.
Using the terahertz (THz) band of the electromagnetic spectrum, the wavelengths of which fall between the microwave and infrared bands, the chip could signify a revolution in the surveillance capabilities of mobile phones along with new chips like Broadcom’s BCM4752 which is capable of providing ultra-precise location data.
Combine this with citizen spying applications and the techniques which gently push people to conduct surveillance without them knowing what they’re actually doing, patents from Google which would allow them to collect the data from such chips and the National Security Agency’s (NSA’s) new data center and you have the penultimate surveillance state.
The research team connected two separate advances in science: the mostly untapped terahertz frequency range of the electromagnetic spectrum, and cutting edge microchip technology.
For those who are unfamiliar or need a refresher, the electromagnetic spectrum makes up all wavelengths of electromagnetic energy from visible light to radio waves to microwaves to infrared to ultraviolet and everything in between.
Most consumer devices have yet to leverage the terahertz band, which means that this could be truly revolutionary technology, although some like myself might think that this revolution is not necessarily all that wonderful.
“We’ve created approaches that open a previously untapped portion of the electromagnetic spectrum for consumer use and life-saving medical applications,” said Dr. Kenneth O, an electrical engineering professor at the University of Texas at Dallas as well as the director of the Texas Analog Center of Excellence.
“The terahertz range is full of unlimited potential that could benefit us all,” he added, although I’m not quite sure how allowing cell phones to see through walls and thus erase what tiny shred of privacy we have left would benefit us all.
This technology would likely not even be as expensive as one might expect. This is because the new approach would allow images to be created with THz-range signals without the need for several lenses or other expensive equipment within the device.
This would not only reduce cost, but also size, making the technology something which we could realistically see in mobile phones in the future.
Lawmakers Question FAA on Privacy Protections Around Drone Use
By Jaikumar Vijayan, Computerworld Apr 20, 2012 3:25 pm
Two senior lawmakers this week sent a letter to the Federal Aviation Administration demanding information on how the agency will ensure that privacy rights are protected when it issues drone licenses to government, law enforcement and private organizations.
Under the Federal Aviation Administration Modernization and Reform Act of 2012, signed into law by President Barack Obama in February, the FAA is required to permit the use of unmanned aerial vehicles by a wide range of organizations including private hobbyists.
The law requires the FAA to make rules pertaining to the safe operation of private, commercial and government drones over U.S. airspace. Under the law, law enforcement authorities and emergency services will be allowed to start using small drones as early as next month.
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