Posted on 02/09/2009 12:36:11 AM PST by nw_arizona_granny
Yahoo ran an interesting article this morning indicating a rise in the number of survivalist communities cropping up around the country. I have been wondering myself how much of the recent energy crisis is causing people to do things like stockpile food and water, grow their own vegetables, etc. Could it be that there are many people out there stockpiling and their increased buying has caused food prices to increase? Its an interesting theory, but I believe increased food prices have more to do with rising fuel prices as cost-to-market costs have increased and grocers are simply passing those increases along to the consumer. A recent stroll through the camping section of Wal-Mart did give me pause - what kinds of things are prudent to have on hand in the event of a worldwide shortage of food and/or fuel? Survivalist in Training
Ive been interested in survival stories since I was a kid, which is funny considering I grew up in a city. Maybe thats why the idea of living off the land appealed to me. My grandfather and I frequently took camping trips along the Blue Ridge Parkway and around the Smoky Mountains. Looking back, some of the best times we had were when we stayed at campgrounds without electricity hookups, because it forced us to use what we had to get by. My grandfather was well-prepared with a camp stove and lanterns (which ran off propane), and when the sun went to bed we usually did along with it. We played cards for entertainment, and in the absence of televisions, games, etc. we shared many great conversations. Survivalist in the Neighborhood
Well Granny, I finally got lucky and caught the local Walmart clerk stocking the ammo shelves...<<<<
Good for you, and it speaks of what we have come to, if we have to consider buying bullets as a “Blessing of the day”.
Got that from our State Extension Animal Specialist. It included showers going in and out with clothes change, wearing mask and gloves and no work if you were sick at all. Also NO visitors.<<<
Did you get the feeling that the state felt that there might be a deliberate attack on the hogs, or animals.
I did in the hog letter, but it did not really say “under terrorist attack”.
INFLUENZA A (H1N1), “SWINE FLU”: ANIMAL HEALTH
**********************************************
A ProMED-mail post
http://www.promedmail.org
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
http://www.isid.org
[1] Defra
[2] OIE
******
[1] Defra
Date: Mon 27 Apr 2009
Source: Defra, Global Animal Health - International Disease
Monitoring. Preliminary Outbreak Assessment. Ref VITT 1200 H1N1
Influenza from humans [edited]
http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/diseases/monitoring/pdf/h1n1-090427.pdf
Risk of introducing H1N1 “North American influenza” to the UK pig population
This report provides general information on swine influenza and trade
in pigs and pig products. Information is also provided on this
outbreak of influenza in humans. Unlike avian influenza, swine
influenza is not a notifiable or statutory disease and it is not
listed by the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE). Pig keepers
and their veterinarians are therefore responsible for dealing with
outbreaks of influenza in pigs to safeguard the welfare and
productivity of their animals. Studies have shown that the previous
swine flu H1N1 strain is common throughout pig populations worldwide,
with around 25 percent of animals showing evidence of past exposure
to infection.
Swine influenza surveillance
When current strains of influenza infect pigs, the virus remains
within the respiratory tract and does not spread to other parts of
the body. Carcase meat should therefore not be contaminated with
virus and international standards for trade in animals and animal
products do not impose any restrictions in respect of influenza virus
infection for the protection of either animal or human health. There
is no obligation under international rules to carry out surveillance
for swine influenza so the level of information available varies
between different countries.
H1N1 and H3N2 swine flu viruses are endemic among pig populations in
many countries and something that the industry deals with routinely.
Outbreaks among pigs normally occur in colder weather months (late
fall and winter) and sometimes with the introduction of new pigs into
susceptible herds. In the US studies have shown that between 30 and
50 percent of the pig population has been exposed to H1N1 infection
at some time (CDC, 2009).
Mexico does not routinely report swine influenza so there is some
uncertainty regarding the situation in that country. Canada has
reported no signs of increased disease or mortality in Canadian
swine. The Canadian veterinary authorities are urging pig owners to
report any signs of respiratory disease in pigs (Canadian Food
Inspection Agency, 2009).
The UK and some other members of the European Union undertake
surveillance to help detect the presence of animal diseases,
including novel strains of influenza viruses, which are not normally
present in the country/EU. The tests used in the UK would be capable
of detecting this new variant of H1N1 but no cases have been
identified.
Trade in pigs and pig products from North America
Country / live swine / fresh pig meat / cooked pig meat / porcine
semen and embryos
Mexico / no / no / no / no
USA / no / yes / yes / yes
Canada / yes / yes / yes / yes
Human influenza situation report
Laboratory analysis of 2 virus isolates from cases in the USA
confirmed the presence of influenza virus type A strain H1N1. The
genetic sequence indicated recombination of North American swine
influenza, North American avian influenza, human influenza virus, and
Eurasian swine influenza. This is a new recombination of virus
strains, not previously isolated.
Reports of disease consistent with an epizootic of influenza have not
been reported in swine in these countries and there are no
indications that human disease has arisen from contact with pigs
(PAHO, 2009). Further investigations into the epidemiology of the
disease are underway in Mexico and the USA, which may help confirm
the source of infection. However all reports suggest the virus is
transmitting directly from human to human and there is no evidence
that pigs are involved in disease spread at present. If any evidence
arises of infection of pigs, we will re-assess the risk.
Conclusions
We will continue to review the situation.
References
—
Communicated by:
Sabine Zentis
Castleview Pedigree English Longhorns
Gut Laach
52385 Nideggen
Germany
http://www.cvlonghorns.de
cvlonghorns@aol.com
******
[2] OIE
Date: Mon 27 Apr 2009
Source: OIE Press release [edited]
http://www.oie.int/eng/press/en_090427.htm
A/H1N1 influenza like human illness in Mexico and the USA: OIE statement
It is not a classical human influenza virus called seasonal
influenza, which causes every year millions of human cases of
influenza worldwide but a virus which includes in its characteristics
swine, avian, and human virus components.
Any current information in influenza-like animal disease in Mexico or
the USA could support a link between human cases and possible animal
cases including swine. The virus has not been isolated in animals to
date. Therefore, it is not justified to name this disease swine
influenza. In the past, many human influenza epidemics with animal
origin have been named using their geographic name, such as, Spanish
influenza or Asiatic influenza, thus it would be logical to call this
disease “North-American influenza.”
Urgent scientific research must be started in order to know the
susceptibility of animals to this new virus, and if relevant to
implement biosecurity measures including possible vaccination to
protect susceptible animals. If this virus would be shown to cause
disease in animals, virus circulation could worsen the regional and
global situation for public health.
Currently, only findings related to the circulation of this virus in
pigs in zones of countries having human cases would justify trade
measures on the importation of pigs from these countries. The OIE
will continue its alert function and will publish in relation with
its members, reference laboratories, and collaborating centres all
appropriate information in real time.
OIE and FAO underline the great value of the influenza veterinary
laboratory network called OFFLU [joint OIE-FAO network of expertise
on avian influenza], in charge of the surveillance of the evolution
of influenza viruses in animals. There is a strong need to reinforce
this network whose members are urged to put immediately in the public
domain any genetic sequence of influenza virus they obtain.
This influenza event underlines in all countries the crucial
importance of maintaining worldwide veterinary services able to
implement in animals early detection of relevant emerging pathogens
with a potential public health impact. This capacity is fully linked
with veterinary services good governance and their compliance with
OIE international standards of quality.
—
Communicated by:
Nati Elkin
E-mail nati@poultrymed.com
[The reservations above from naming the current A (H1N1) influenza
epidemic, which started, most probably, in March 2009 in Mexico, as
“swine influenza,” seem to the undersigned as fully justified.
Influenza A viruses include the avian, swine, equine, and canine
influenza viruses, as well as the human influenza A viruses. They can
cause disease in birds, swine, horses, ferrets, dogs, cats, mink,
seals, whales, and other species.
Avian influenza viruses mainly infect birds, but some strains can
also infect and/or cause disease in mammals, including humans (such
as, H5N1), without further spread among humans. Poultry can develop
serious or mild disease, depending on the subtype and strain of virus.
Equine influenza viruses mainly affect horses, donkeys, and mules;
they have also been reported in zebra. Antibodies to the equine H3N8
viruses have been reported in humans. An H3N8 equine influenza virus
appears to have jumped into dogs.
Canine influenza viruses have been seen only in dogs. To date, there
have been no infections reported in other species, including humans.
“Swine influenza” (hog flu, pig flu) in senso stricto is an animal
disease, caused by a specific porcine virus, namely swine influenza
virus (SIV). SIV’s are very contagious, mainly affecting pigs, but
can sporadically cause disease in turkeys and humans. Such an
interspecies infection, when occurring, is not followed by further
spread in the affected populations (”dead end” hosts). Experimental
infections have been established in cattle, dogs, and humans.
The current A (H1N1) influenza virus spreads readily among humans
without any known involvement of, or contact with pigs; when and
where its initial reassortment took place is not (yet?) known. Such
information is, apparently, not relevant anymore to the dynamics of
the epidemic: the causative virus can persist among humans
independently of animal involvement.
As rightly remarked by my colleague, Mod.CP, in the case of the
pandemic flus, it has been the region of origin of the outbreak that
had the honour — H1N1 in 1918 was Spanish flu, followed by Asian flu
(H2N2) in 1957, Hong Kong flu (H3N2) in 1968, and reappearance of
H1N1 (as Russian flu) in 1977. Hence, the current epidemic, even if
becoming a pandemic, deserves the name “Mexican flu” (or, as
suggested by the OIE, “North American flu”), rather than swine flu.
The designation as “swine flu” is misleading and has already led
consumers to undue concerns and several countries to impose
restrictions on the movement of animals, their products and — at
least in one case — other agricultural products of plant origin as
well. - Mod.AS]
[ProMED is using the term “swine flu” (in quotation marks) until a
better nomenclature is established and in order to be consistent with
common usage in the media and with CDC, other ministries of health
and WHO. We recognize that the virus has not been isolated from
swine and no evidence exists linking the current human outbreak with
exposure to swine. - Mod.LM]
[see also:
Influenza A (H1N1) “swine flu” (02): worldwide 20090427.1586
Influenza A (H1N1) “swine flu”: Worldwide 20090427.1583
Influenza A (H1N1) virus, human: worldwide 20090426.1577
Influenza A (H1N1) virus, human - New Zealand, susp 20090426.1574
Influenza A (H1N1) virus, human - N America (04) 20090426.1569
Influenza A (H1N1) virus, human - N America (03) 20090426.1566
Influenza A (H1N1) virus, human - N America (02) 20090425.1557
Influenza A (H1N1) virus, human - N America 20090425.1552
Acute respiratory disease - Mexico, swine virus susp 20090424.1546
Influenza A (H1N1) virus, swine, human - USA (02): (CA, TX) 20090424.1541
Influenza A (H1N1) virus, swine, human - USA: (CA) 20090422.1516
Influenza A (H1N1) virus, swine, human - Spain 20090220.0715
2008
http://www.atf.gov/press/2009press/042809atf_announces-grits_rollout.htm
ATF ANNOUNCES GUN RUNNER IMPACT TEAMS ROLLOUT
100 Additional Personnel Arrive in Houston
HOUSTON - Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Acting
Director Kenneth Melson and Special Agent in Charge J. Dewey Webb, Houston
Field Division, today announced the arrival of its Gun Runner Impact Teams
(GRITs) personnel to the Houston Field Division in support of ATF’s
Southwest Border strategy, Project Gunrunner.
The GRITs will add special agents, industry operations investigators,
analytical, legal, technical and administrative support personnel, along
with investigative equipment and other resources to Project Gunrunner. This
supplemental initiative will be operational for 120 days, and is intended to
target and disrupt the groups and organizations responsible for trafficking
firearms to Mexico.
“Narcotics trafficking fuels firearms-related violent crime across the
United States, not just on the Southwest Border. But the violence on the
Border is concentrated and financed by powerful drug trafficking
organizations with a penchant for making blood money and shattering lives
using guns illegally,” said ATF Acting Director Kenneth Melson. “With GRIT
personnel, ATF has drawn a line in the sand against violent crime in Texas
and the entire country.”
The ATF Office of Strategic Intelligence and Information, using intelligence
from trace data, has created numerous investigative leads. This initiative
will focus on increasing: the number of firearms trafficking investigations
opened/closed during this period; the number of defendants referred for
prosecution; and the number of firearms and other evidence recovered. ATF
intends to reduce the availability of guns to Mexican drug trafficking
organizations.
ATF’s violent crime-fighting and firearms trafficking expertise and
regulatory authority, along with its strategic domestic and international
partnerships will help combat the increasing violence along the U.S.-Mexico
border, as well as throughout the country.
For more information on ATF and its programs, visit www.atf.gov
http://www.atf.gov/
Read: Acting
http://www.atf.gov/press/speech/2009/042809acting_dir-melson_remarks-grit_r
ollout.htm
Director Kenneth Melson’s Remarks
If we extend unlimited tolerance even to those who are intolerant, if we
are not prepared to defend a tolerant society against the onslaught of the
intolerant, then the tolerant will be destroyed, and tolerance with them. .
We should therefore claim, in the name of tolerance, the right not to
tolerate the intolerant. -Sir Karl Popper
This is interesting, more so, if you caught the Jim Bohanon radio program, talking about this web site.
Making Home Affordable.com is the site that Obama gave out in his speech, not long ago.
Jim had two callers on the air and others that made reports by email to him.....They had filled out the form on the site, asking for help with their loans.
They were contacted by private attorneys who said the would help them fix the loan, cost about $3,000.
One had paid $1,000. to get his loan looked at, said to be refundable, and it was not returned when they said they could not help him.
Both were small business owners, trying to get through a hard patch, not leeches.
granny
http://www.treas.gov/press/releases/tg108.htm
Obama Administration Announces New Details on Making Home Affordable Program
To view or print the PDF content on this page, download the free Adobe® Acrobat® Reader®.
April 28, 2009
TG-108
Obama Administration Announces New Details
on Making Home Affordable Program
Parallel Second Lien Program to Help Homeowners Achieve Greater Affordability
Integration of Hope for Homeowners to Help Underwater Borrowers
Regain Equity in their Homes
You can view the Fact Sheet and Case Examples here.
WASHINGTON The Obama Administration today announced details of new efforts to help bring relief to responsible homeowners under the Making Home Affordable Program, including an effort to achieve greater affordability for homeowners by lowering payments on their second mortgages as well as a set of measures to help underwater borrowers stay in their homes.
“With these latest program details, we’re offering even more opportunities for borrowers to make their homes more affordable under the Administration’s housing plan,” said Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner. “Ensuring that responsible homeowners can afford to stay in their homes is critical to stabilizing the housing market, which is in turn critical to stabilizing our financial system overall. Every step we take forward is done with that imperative in mind.”
“Today’s announcements will make it easier for borrowers to modify or refinance their loans under FHA’s Hope for Homeowners program,” said HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan. “We encourage Congress to enact the necessary legislative changes to make the Hope for Homeowners program an integral part of the Making Home Affordable Program.”
The Second Lien Program announced today will work in tandem with first lien modifications offered under the Home Affordable Modification Program to deliver a comprehensive affordability solution for struggling borrowers. Second mortgages can create significant challenges in helping borrowers avoid foreclosure, even when a first lien is modified. Up to 50 percent of at-risk mortgages have second liens, and many properties in foreclosure have more than one lien. Under the Second Lien Program, when a Home Affordable Modification is initiated on a first lien, servicers participating in the Second Lien Program will automatically reduce payments on the associated second lien according to a pre-set protocol. Alternatively, servicers will have the option to extinguish the second lien in return for a lump sum payment under a pre-set formula determined by Treasury, allowing servicers to target principal extinguishment to the borrowers where extinguishment is most appropriate.
Separately, the Administration has also announced steps to incorporate the Federal Housing Administration’s (FHA) Hope for Homeowners into Making Home Affordable. Hope for Homeowners requires the holder of the mortgage to accept a payoff below the current market value of the home, allowing the borrower to refinance into a new FHA-guaranteed loan. Refinancing into a new loan below the home’s market value takes a borrower from a position of being underwater to having equity in their home. By increasing a homeowner’s equity in the home, Hope for Homeowners can produce a better outcome for borrowers who qualify.
Under the changes announced today and, when evaluating borrowers for a Home Affordable Modification, servicers will be required to determine eligibility for a Hope for Homeowners refinancing. Where Hope for Homeowners proves to be viable, the servicer must offer this option to the borrower. To ensure proper alignment of incentives, servicers and lenders will receive pay-for-success payments for Hope for Homeowners refinancings similar to those offered for Home Affordable Modifications. These additional supports are designed to work in tandem and take effect with the improved and expanded program under consideration by Congress. The Administration supports legislation to strengthen Hope for Homeowners so that it can function effectively as an integral part of the Making Home Affordable Program.
Making Home Affordable, a comprehensive plan to stabilize the U.S. housing market, was first announced by the Administration on February 18. The three part program includes aggressive measures to support low mortgage rates by strengthening confidence in Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac; a Home Affordable Refinance Program, which will provide new access to refinancing for up to 4 to 5 million homeowners; and a Home Affordable Modification Program, which will reduce monthly payments on existing first lien mortgages for up to 3 to 4 million at-risk homeowners. Two weeks later, the Administration published detailed guidelines for the Home Affordable Modification Program and authorized servicers to begin modifications under the plan immediately. Twelve servicers, including the five largest, have now signed contracts and begun modifications under the program. Between loans covered by these servicers and loans owned or securitized by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, more than75 percent of all loans in the country are now covered by the Making Home Affordable Program.
Continuing to bolster its outreach around the program, the Administration also announced today a new effort to engage directly with homeowners via MakingHomeAffordable.gov. Starting today, homeowners will have the ability to submit individual questions through the website to the Administration’s housing team. Members of the Treasury and HUD staffs will periodically select commonly asked questions and post responses on MakingHomeAffordable.gov. To submit a question, homeowners can visit www.MakingHomeAffordable.gov/feedback.html. Selected questions from homeowners across the country and responses from the Administration will be available at www.MakingHomeAffordable.gov/asked-and-answered.html.
For additional details on the program announced today, please see the Program Update Fact Sheet.
###
REPORTS
* Second Lien Program Fact Sheet
* Second Lien Program Case Examples
Denver Police Scanner at 12 am:
Dispatcher to officer: “ ‘location’, man reports he was walking his bird, when held up at gun point by 2 black males, they did not take his turtle.”
Assigned officer: “Did anyone see two black males, dressed all in black, carrying a white Cockatiel?”
And sadly, a different call, answered by a different call to an officer, said the called officer could not answer that call, as he had been ‘maced’ in the eyes and could not see.
No idea where the mace happened, could it be related to the 5,000 teen mob?
Everyone that Denver is looking for tonight, has a gun.
LOL, I do think that is the first time I have heard of an armed robbery for a Cockatiel.
Did you get a new laptop<<<< Yes, my very old desk top is in the loft and climbing the stairs several times each day with one knee replacement and another due in the near future was a chore so now I can Freep downstairs with the family. As a matter of fact, I purchased one for each of my children that didn’t own a laptop and for the child who already had one, I paid for old fashioned lilacs to be planted by a landscaper on her property. That was one way I could share my sister’s small inheritance and as she loved my children dearly, I know she would be pleased.
I am trying to learn to use a mouse with this laptop, hence the double posts, I guess. (Got to blame it on something, right?)
I don’t have a fancy canner or pressure cooker; just a big old enamel pot and a basket for the jars and a pair of canning tongs.
I’ve been keeping mine in a baggie with the canner, but a couple times have almost panicked when it wasn’t immediately in sight.
How is it attached on the other side?
Mr. mm could do something like that.
Official Confirms First US Swine Flu Death
An official with the Centers for Disease Control says a 23-month-old Texas child
is the first American victim of the swine flu outbreak.
MORE DETAILS: http://www.10News.com/tu/5GoycFxVv.html
They just announced the first death in TX from swine flu.
Now TSWHTF.
Just thought I’d ask.
http://wcbstv.com/topstories/air.force.one.2.996457.html
FAA Memo: Feds Knew NYC Flyover Would Cause Panic
Threatened Federal Sanctions Against NYPD, Secret Service, FBI & Mayor’s Office If Secret Ever Got Out
Furious Obama Apologizes: “It Will Never Happen Again
snipped
The cost of the frivolous flight was about $60,000 an hour and that was just for Air Force One. That doesn’t include the cost of the two F-16s that came along.
The mayoral aide who neglected to tell Mayor Michael Bloomberg about it was reprimanded.
[This one leaves me very confused........WHY??? would anyone be so stupid???? granny]
:)
US has first death from swine flu [according to] govt official
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2240246/posts
I just saw a headline on MSNBC.com that Obama was talking about closing schools. It is no longer up. I wonder what’s up with that? Released too early?
http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/personalcare04_09.html
Personal Care Products Conducts Nationwide Recall of Non-Acetone Nail Polish Remover Because of Possible Health Risk
Contact:
Lawrence Weisberg
248-258-1555
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — April 29, 2009 — Personal Care Products of Bingham Farms, MI is voluntarily conducting a nationwide recall of all lots of Personal Care non-acetone nail polish remover, conditioner enriched with gelatin, 6 fl. oz., UPC 4815592076, because it does not meet product specifications and has the potential to cause chemical burns to the fingers of users.
The product has been sold nationwide in small discount retail stores and retailers are being instructed to remove the product from sale and to return it to Personal Care Products.
Personal Care has received two complaints of burns to the fingers resulting from the use of the product.
Any person who purchased a bottle of Personal Care non-acetone nail polish remover, conditioner enriched with gelatin is urged to return it to the store of purchase for a refund. Consumers with questions may contact Personal Care Products at 1-248-258-1555, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. EDT.
#
Photo: Product Label
Thanks for the link on the babies death, due to the flu.
You will see many odd things in the future, is of course my guess.
The rush to close the schools, is a part of martial laws, and I suspect the released reports on who the right wing terrorists are was another accidental release.
They NEED martial law, to push their agenda.
We may need martial law, if there really is a pandemic.
We also need a real leader to enact the martial law, not a bunch of chicago hoods, who practice their plans with low flying planes in New York City............
my opinion of course.
http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/news/
Hot Topics
Food Protection Plan | Heparin Update | FDA Key Initiatives »
FDA Press Releases
Apr. 28
FDA Requires Additional Labeling for Over-the-Counter Pain Relievers and Fever Reducers to Help Consumers Use Products Safely
Apr. 28
SAMHSA and FDA Join to Educate the Public on the Safe Use of Methadone
Apr. 27
FDA Authorizes Emergency Use of Influenza Medicines, Diagnostic Test in Response to Swine Flu Outbreak in Humans
Recalls & Alerts
Personal Care Products Conducts Nationwide Recall of Non-Acetone Nail Polish Remover Because of Possible Health Risk (April 29)
Austinuts Wholesale, Inc. Announces Voluntary Recall of Pistachio Kernels (April 27)
McCormick and Company Recalls Lawry’s Fajitas Spices and Seasonings Packages Due to Unlabeled Milk Ingredients (April 24)
More Press Releases »
More Recalls & Alerts »
More News
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.