The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods


Rescue Honey Bees from Famine on the Farm

A little prairie can rescue honey bees from famine on the farm, study finds. (Thanks to reader C.B. for the link.)  Here is a quote from the article on honey bee hive health:

“‘One hypothesis about that is that bees near agricultural zones have more access to flowering crops and weeds like clover than those near forests, which can have fewer floral resources,’ he said.


‘Over the entire year, more than 60% of their pollen collection was from clover,’ Dolezal said. The study did not determine which plants supplied the nectar, however.



Texas Woman Killed by Feral Hogs

Reader W.W. sent this news: Texas woman killed by feral hogs in pre-dawn attack

Colion Noir Dissects Vox’s Gun Background Checks Video

H.L. sent a link to this video by Colion Noir: The Truth About VOX’s Video: “The gun solution we’re not talking about”

Banning Natural Gas Stoves?

Reader H.L. sent this: No more fire in the kitchen: Cities are banning natural gas in homes to save the planet

Democrat Candidates’ Anti-Gun Rhetoric Spur Record Gun Sales

Record Sales: Democrat Candidates’ Anti-Gun Rhetoric Brings the End of the Trump Slump. The article starts with this:

“Say goodbye to any remaining vestiges of the “Trump slump.” 2019 is on pace to be the biggest firearm sales year in history. And America’s gun manufacturers and retailers have the Democrats running for President to thank for much of the increase in volume.”

Virginia Gun Ban Proposed in State Legislature

Reader Paul M. suggested this: Sweeping VA gun ban, likely confiscation without grandfather clause, proposed by state legislature. A pericope:

“Virginia state Sen. Richard Saslaw introduced SB16, which would expand the definition of an “assault firearm” to cover many different semi-automatic rifles and pistols. The bill would call for the ban of such firearms, barring people from purchasing, possessing, selling or transferring those weapons.

Among the changes in firearm definitions, the bill would expand the term “assault firearm” to include semi-automatic centerfire rifles and pistols with a fixed magazine capacity greater than 10 rounds. The bill would also ban semi-automatic rifles and pistols with detachable magazines that also have folding and telescoping stocks, barrel shrouds, and thumbhole grips and second hand grips.

Rifles, under the new bill, would not be allowed pistol grips, bayonet mounts, grenade or flare launchers, silencers, muzzle breaks and flash suppressors.

Virginians would not be allowed pistols that accept the magazine into the weapon at any other point than the pistol grip. Pistols would also have an unloaded weight limit of 50 ounces.

The bill also limits shotguns to a magazine capacity of no more than seven shells.”

Oh, and meanwhile in the same state senate: this bill would expand the state’s existing ban on “paramilitary activities”. A Virginian would become a Class 5 felon if he “Assembles with one or more persons with the intent of intimidating any person or group of persons by drilling, parading, or marching with any firearm, any explosive or incendiary device, or any components or combination thereof…”  But who will decide whether any gathering was intended to intimidate someone? Say that you gather to train. But that training coincidentally falls on Martin Luther King’s birthday. Or May Day. Or Labor Day. Or the anniversary of some obscure leftist historical event or birthday? Or it takes place in the same county that some snowflake organization also has an “anti-whatever” rally scheduled. Or on a piece of ground that has some historical significance. Does that magically convert routine training into something intimidating? After all, we now live in a Snowflake Culture, wherein special snowflakes take offense at the slightest offense or even the misuse of a word.

Crowder: The Tech Companies’ Consistent Pro-Democrat Bias




  1. Since we have witnessed the pattern of gun sales going up anytime the anti’s open their mouths, one has to wonder if they are that stupid, or in fact they secretly own stock in gun companies and do it just to profit.

  2. But who will decide whether any gathering was intended to intimidate someone?

    I think a court should do that and if some Group doesn´t take reasonable care not to intimidate they should hold accountable for that act.

    1. The court should? The political organization that is controlled by the government stooges? You want the court, which will act to protect it’s host, the government, to have the power to say what intimidation is? Advertising jury nullification, intimidation? Protesting legal system abuses, intimidation? No sir, I think VA could very well be the state that triggers something bigger. Triggers red against blue. Not state against state but region against region, county against county. Prepare like you never have before. It may soon get sparky.

      1. look into your constitution, the Right of the People to peacefully assemble… so a peaceful protest shouldn´t be intimidation and carrying weapons is not Assembling in peace

        1. I beg to differ with you. We are looking across a cross-cultural divide. You are living in Germany, and have a much different view of what a “militia” means. Here in the States, just as in Switzerland, there is nothing wrong with being armed in public. We CAN and do peaceably assemble, fully armed, with the those arms in plain view. Just because I’m exercising my First Amendments rights of speech and assembly doesn’t mean that I have to leave my Second Amendment rights locked up at home!

          1. My point was, and i´m not objective About that Point(during the protests against the then new Runway West for the Airport West 2 police officers were killed and 7 wounded, ) is that peaceful protest is an unarmed protest.

        2. Carrying a firearm is not the same as looking for trouble.
          I don`t carry a gun because I want to shoot someone.
          I carry a gun so I will be left alone.
          If I gather with my friends, all armed (or not) I`m not looking for any trouble either, and neither are they.
          If I`m looking for trouble, I`ll surely find it and deserve it
          But if trouble comes for me, it will not have a good day.
          Because I carry that gun and can use it.

          1. You said: “look into your constitution, the Right of the People to peacefully assemble… so a peaceful protest shouldn´t be intimidation and carrying weapons is not Assembling in peace”
            I strongly beg to differ.
            I carry where ever I go, and I`m a large peaceful man, with no intent of disturbing the peace.
            That includes when I go to a gathering, like the numerous Tea Party rallies I attended and spoke at.
            Carrying a weapon, a means of self defence, is not a sign of wishing violence, often it`s quite the opposite.
            Let`s not adopt the thinking of the hoplophobes in saying people carry guns because they want to do something bad with them.
            But I would agree, if one recognizes they cannot carry a gun and control themselves from breaching the peace, they indeed should refrain from either going to an assembly, or go there unarmed.

          2. I strongly differ,
            the Problem is, that a protest a Demonstration is very stressful Situation or at least can be, carrying weapons add to that stressfactor.

            The Intent somebody carry in that such a Situation is not very relevant for that fact.

          3. Dan:
            You are applying your German upbringing to a situation here in the States that is truly foreign to you. We (at least conservative Americans) have a completely different outlook and attitude toward carrying guns. In many of our states open carry of loaded guns is legal. Concealed carry permits are quite commonplace, and in a growing number of states, NO PERMIT IS REQUIRED for concealed carry. There, in Germany, you cannot even legally own or carry a pocketknife that can be opened with one hand. (Einhand Messer.) Please just leave American politics to Americans. If we choose to attend a political rally armed, then that is OUR choice.

      1. No kidding NormlChuck. Only a special kind of snowflake would be stressed at a rally when they saw people carrying arms. It would be better for them to just stay home with their milk and cookies and comfort cat so none of the mean ole patriots could upset them. Have American men really become that big of wussies? I used a W instead of a P intentionally.

      2. Being ready to defend yourself isn`t a part time gig, it`s a full time obligation, responsibility.
        We shouldn`t have to choose which right we will exercise on a given day, and suspend the others based on someones phobia.
        So we will disagree on this issue.

    2. Any two cops ,automatic felony. This is clearly a violation of right to assemble,2A.
      Every legislator who voted for this needs to be sued to bankruptcy and removed from office and prohibited from ever holding any office publuc or private

  3. I see you quit commenting on “vote with your feet”. All it did was spread the disease.
    VA will be the test ground to see how the courts rule on this. Then other states like the west coast will pick up the idea and move forward.
    The militias have done nothing to help themselves in the hearts and minds game and really don’t have the support of the common voters so that’s a big hurdle too.

  4. Western Virginians should consider seceding from VA and joining WV as the two are more closely aligned than Northern and Eastern Virginia, which now controls the state. It would be hard to pull off, but it would send a message that could also send a message throughout the country.

    1. Amy,
      Before you and your husband make a decision please consider the following:
      1.) Proposed bill S.B. 64 has been in effect for 32 years (originally passed in 1987). Even with revisions, it is most likely a distraction from more onerous legislation to come. I have already been warned by friends in law enforcement not to make this piece of legislation my primary concern.
      2.) As of today, 22 counties in Virginia have already passed resolutions making them “2nd Amendment Sanctuaries” with many more (including the one where I am sitting as I type this) prepared to vote on this same issue within the next two weeks. Here is the list:

      3.) Remember that most Leftists, Virginia based and otherwise, are nothing more than arrested development children living out their childhood delusions of being “Supreme ruler of their room, house, yard, the universe, and everything in it”; the same role-playing game they played with siblings and playmates in their youth they now bring to their adult lives. When do we stop running and confront these heathen children?
      4.) Continue to hold yourself and others accountable for all actions when it comes to defending our rights, liberty, and freedoms. I have friends and family that consider themselves conservatives yet they are rabid University of Virginia sports-team contributors, ignoring the fact that UVA contributes hundreds of thousands of dollars to the same Democrats that hate us. The purchase of every t-shirt, every sweatshirt, and other licensed trinkets of sports memorabilia is a de facto contribution to the side that wants to eliminate our way of life.

      I hope you decide to stay.

  5. Wow, some off-the-wall comments this morning. ThoDan said “…if some Group doesn´t take reasonable care not to intimidate they should hold accountable for that act.” So how does one “not intimidate” another? Some people are “intimidated” by anything and everything and it’s not our jobs to see to it that they aren’t intimidated. That’s on them.

    Matt in Oklahoma said “The militias have done nothing to help themselves in the hearts and minds game and really don’t have the support of the common voters…” I guess years and years of negative press by the “mainstream” media will do that. The SPLC is front and center in this charade and despite relatively recent articles touting their troubles, they are still often cited.

    The first known instance of the militia in the US was in 1636 in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. That’s about one hundred fifty years before there was a US. They are here to stay.

    1. Consider a NeoFascist Group Training next to a synagogue on the 9th-10th of November or somebody has directed a gun on your home 24/7…

      A regular militia was legitimiced by the City, town, state or whatever the community served was subordinated not by private citicens, AFAIK private Military Forces are forbidden in the US and are und international law unlawful combatants


      1. ThoDan: Consider a Group that passes laws to protect themselves and then uses the gun of the very government they are abusing to enforce those laws. Consider that group thinking they have the right to tell you what you can put into your body, how you can use your property, how you can sell your personal property, demand you get permission from it to do all sorts of common things. A group that can imprison you for not obeying the “laws” they deem appropriate, even though no one was harmed by your actions. NeoFascist groups are the least of my worries. The government that abuses it’s power at the expense of the people is.

        1. Consider that group thinking…… even though no one was harmed by your Actions

          That is done for thousands of years, this is called law the US existed under those laws since it´s founding day and longer.

          Are the NeoFascist Groups also of no concern to the jews in the synagogue?

          1. You throw around that term “NeoFascist” but anyone can be labeled in that way and then violence or removal of civil rights can be justified because of that label. What do you do when YOU are labeled NeoFascist?

            Lets assume that it is true that sometimes violence and injury happen during peaceful protest. Should we then remove everyone’s rights? Or would it make more sense to punish only those who commit violence? It is a dangerous slippery slope to remove rights from people because someone, somewhere “might” commit violence.

      2. Consider that the SPLC has labeled JWR racist or white supremacist, Consider that the US government often uses SPLC recommendations when determining if a group is racist or white supremacist. Consider that JWR just endorsed an African American for a state legislature position in his state of residence.

        This is but one example of looking to the governmment to guard our right to free speech and our freedom of assembly. They often misrepresent what we are saying and who we are assembling with.

        The 1880’s were not a good time in this country wrt Supreme Court decisions. This was a particularly bad time for African Americans but also and partly because of how bad it was for African Americans it was a very bad time for all Americans. The court of that era in their desire to trample the rights of African Americans trampled all our rights.

        1. Very good point. I was raised on fighting to the death for your right to say what you want, even if I disagree, because if they can take your right to speak then they can also take mine. Seems some here are OK with that. I am not and pray the majority of Americans feel the same way.

      3. ThoDan,

        I would agree that a community was once the authority to organize a militia However with the Dick Act and case law from The SCOTUS one can very easily see that that is no longer the case. We know the court has ruled that there are 2 “Militias”, the organized and un-organized. The organized be there National Guard or “state defense forces”. The Un-organized is everyone else. But to fully see where I’m going with this we need to go to the 2nd Amendment. It states that a “well regulated militia being necessarily . . .” Regulated doesn’t mean laws and regulation but drilled. Hence trained. The other aspect is the “right to Bear Arms” this proposed law and the current law do seem to already violate that.

        1. The Right to do something, can never legitimice to abuse that Right to violate the Rights of others and a private Military Organisation is usually a danger to at least a part of the People in the area they operate.

          call them SA, SS, Sharia Police or Rote Front Kämpferbund or else

          1. ThoDan-

            I am not trying to legitimize anyone’s actions or abuse of rights. However our Rights are for everyone regardless.

            Thomas Jefferson and James Madison talked about this every concern. Jefferson wrote that the evil that is done by abuse of the rights is small in comparison to the evil that will be done without the right. Paraphrasing of course. Do we Ban Free speech for thought criminals? No we don’t because the masses would see the danger in having government limit the speech of a particular group. Why is there a double standard with the second amendment?

            Private Army? That is a stretch, if Blackwater or whatever they are called today and the numerous other private security “contractors” haven’t been shut down for being a private army I think it would be hard to shut down Bubba and this friends. Playing with the definitions of words is nothing more that what “New Speak” was in 1984. We have rights and unfortunately so do people who have beliefs we abhor.

          2. Dan, your experience growing up in Germany–with its history of Brown Shirts–has colored your view of paramilitary organizations. Here in the United States, we have a proud tradition of private militias that predates our constitution by more than a century. These militias are not intended to intimidate anyone. But sadly, we now live with the Special Snowflake Generation, wherein, anyone can scream “intimidation” or even “micro-agression” and seek a SAFE SPACE from just about any trifle that offends them.

          3. Naturally that is the case as well as the Tradition of civil war every time Germany got a new king at least since Conrad I and my belief that a legitimate militia is legitimiced by the the citicens of their community whom they served and isn´t a private club or PMO.

            In Germany the Schützenvereine = Shooting clubs are the heirs of a Tradition of a militia who defended their communities Dating back to the time my ancestors meet their enemies with spear and Shield.

          4. The right to do something should not harm other people, physically. If you are hurt over something I said, that is your issue, not mine. The governments primary role is to protect the rights of all people from physical harm. Including property rights.

  6. Rescue Honey Bees from Famine on the Farm

    I always let my clover and other wild flowers grow on the unused portions of my property. Those areas always have many bees gathering pollen.

    I don’t have any problems, yet, with having my food crops pollinated. Everything I plant is heirloom, so that I can harvest my own seed. I don’t use any weed control sprays or insecticides. I do lose some product due to the insects, I control the weeds the old fashioned way, I pull them myself, or use my equipment to help.

    If it was easy, everyone would be doing it.

    Practice your skills, stockpile supplies, be ready to fight.

    God Bless.

  7. I am a Civil War re-enactor who frequently re-enacts in Virginia. The majority of Civil War battles took place in Virginia and Tennessee. Would Confederate re-enactors carrying weapons and a Confederate battle flag which leftist define as a symbol of hate fall under this law?

    1. If we are thinking of the same organization, the shoots happen on private property, so by definition only members and guests can participate, and no one can be construed as intimidated.

      That said, the protest marches and parades would have to stop.

    2. Short answer Yes.
      Offered January 8, 2020
      Prefiled November 21, 2019
      A BILL to amend and reenact § 18.2-433.2 of the Code of Virginia, relating to paramilitary activities; penalty.

      Patron– Lucas
      Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice
      Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

      § 18.2-433.2. Paramilitary activity prohibited; penalty.
      2. That the provisions of this act may result in a net increase in periods of imprisonment or commitment. Pursuant to § 30-19.1:4 of the Code of Virginia, the estimated amount of the necessary appropriation cannot be determined for periods of imprisonment in state adult correctional facilities; therefore, Chapter 854 of the Acts of Assembly of 2019 requires the Virginia Criminal Sentencing Commission to assign a minimum fiscal impact of $50,000. Pursuant to § 30-19.1:4 of the Code of Virginia, the estimated amount of the necessary appropriation cannot be determined for periods of commitment to the custody of the Department of Juvenile Justice.


      This is a remarkable development. One refreshing thing is that the masks have all come off now. With control of the Senate, House and Governor’s mansion, the controllers want you to know where they stand and are willing to say so out loud and in the clearest possible terms.
      Leaving aside the issue of whether one could ever demonstrate intent behind either the delivery or receiving of tactical training, what they really intend is to render illegal any training that involves CQB, small unit fire and maneuver tactics, or any combination of training in long range precision shooting, discrete communications, or battle tactics, techniques and procedures. Only LEOs can have such training.
      The truly remarkable thing is the stated reason: ” … intending that such training will be employed for use in, or in furtherance of, a civil disorder.” That the American fathers did that very thing and gave us separation from King George isn’t missed on them. They don’t need more education – it’s their knowledge of history and human nature that has brought us to this point. This is essentially their way of saying that any chance of separation is now gone, given that they have the reins of power.

  8. I was charged by a mature wild boar while deer hunting in the Ozarks a couple of weeks ago. I walked around a downed tree and we saw each other at the same instant. The first shot from my AR10 knocked him down but he got up and came again. Eventually fell about 10 yards from me. I have learned to turn my scope all the way down while moving as all I could see was hair with it on 4x after he got pretty close. I used to think the aggression [of hogs] was kind of over blown, but no more.

  9. Re: Honeybees

    The trouble with agricultural areas, not counting pesticides, is that the crops are only in bloom for a relatively short time, so you have a massive amount of food but it is only available for a few weeks out of the year. Bees need Spring nectar flow and also Fall nectar flow, and so need a variety of plants in sufficient quantity to carry them through the year. It would be like planting nothing but tomatoes in your garden and trying to harvest enough in two weeks to feed your family for an entire year.

    That said, there are trees that are excellent sources of food for bees, such as honey locust and tulip poplar. Meadows and the interface between the meadow and the forest promotes more biodiversity, which is likely to support a greater variety of plants.

  10. When my father passed away the Navy provided an honor guard at his funeral where salutes were fired, I assume this will no longer be legal in Virginia, wake up America.

      1. To the snow flakes of today, yes the Navy and the “evil “ black rifles their honor guard shoots for the 21 gun salute is considered intimidating. I also grew up in Europe (GB, Germany, Belgium, Scotland) but after studying my history as an American I realized that the constitution and bill of rights was set up to protect the common man from abuses like what occurred in Europe. I treasure my time over there but wouldn’t trade America for all the other countries on earth combined! [Some words that might be misconstrued deleted by editor.]

      2. ThoDan,
        It’s about propaganda. 90% of Americans aren’t intimidated by their neighbor owning a firearm. That same 90% aren’t intimidated by a group of like minded people training themselves to protect their families and their communities for whatever trouble may present itself. Media propaganda would have us believe differently.

        On the other hand, the groups like AntiFA and the Blac Bloc make a living intimidating people and their communities. They are paid by our Democrat party and people like George Soros and other very rich elitists who believe they should be in control and that this is their time to make it happen. They behave exactly like Hitler’s Brown Shirts or Mussolini’s Black Shirts. Yet they are portrayed as hero’s by our media and by the Democrat party. They are portrayed as hero’s by such groups as the SPLC (the Southern Poverty Law Center).

        These same groups portray me as a danger to society because of the color of my skin, not because of any action I have taken. They portray me as a racist because of the color of my skin, not for any action I have taken or even any words I have said. They use their racist propaganda machine in the media and the racist Democrat party to twist the concept of racism on it’s head. I’m being portrayed as racist because of my race. They have taken the USA back 160 years but with a new target for their racism and bigotry. The Democrat party of 2019 is the very same Democrat party that existed in 1859, the party of racism and bigotry. Only today, the “white” male is the new n-word (I don’t use that word, never ever).

        In reality, who is actually the racist? In reality, who is actually a danger to society as a whole? Think about who the bad guys in my society and yours really are. Act accordingly!

  11. Tho Dan,

    Please research and compare the numbers of people killed in recent centuries by private or local community paramilitary organizations, with the number killed by official government action. Then re-think where the danger lies.

    The proposed Va law is worse than described: It also outlaws training in techniques that could cause injury for use in a civil disturbance. This would outlaw my Tae-Kwon-Do classes, because I might use the techniques to defend myself in a riot or gang attack. An unbelievably bad and dangerous proposed law.

  12. Hi all,
    I live in Virginia, in the country outside of Charlottesville, site of the national news event two years ago.
    The election was a horrible event for me. Richard Saslaw’s rework of a bill a knife in the gut. Over time, the state has changed because of inflow of liberal people to the 5 metro areas that outvoted over 70 counties. There are 95 counties in Virginia.
    I have to make mention of a wonderful organization in our state. Virginia Civil Defense League. VCDL. They are making a huge difference in promoted sane gun laws in our state. Despite the election debacle, they started and continue with organizing counties and cities to be Second Amendment Sanctuaries as a first step in convincing Sheriffs and Prosecutors to join. If you go to, you will see the work in action. If you can support, join, or comment, that would be wonderful.

    So, do you think that your state is immune to MOMS, or Bloomfield? Our area is beginning to be the country people against the city people in ideology. Thanks, Jim.

  13. ThoDan,

    “carrying weapons is not Assembling in peace”.

    Says who? Some of the most peaceful places I have been are places where (almost) everyone was armed, and everyone was aware of the fact.

    Perfect example: a few years ago, under President Obama, there was a run on firearms and ammunition in our country. Many people (myself included) would wait in line for hours each week prior to a store opening to purchase ammunition. On one occasion, when the store opened at 0700, a young (roughly 20-year-old) employee noticed that everyone had left their lawn chairs and bags on the sidewalk and lined up to enter the store. He told a 60-year-old woman, “Excuse me, but you have forgotten your bag.”, to which she replied, “Son, we are all here to buy ammunition. That means we are all carrying. No one will bother my things while I shop in your store.”

    The other 50 or so of us in line quickly agreed… Firearms are not intimidating, they are simply equalizing. They equalize everyone, regardless of age, sex, race, or religion.

    Freedom Loving Texan

  14. Look the Virginia assembly law (I don’t agree with it.) I would say a court has the legal authority to decide if it’s intimidating. It would prevent tiki torch late night walks or groups of men all dressed in black covering their faces with spray painted anarchy symbols.

    That all being said I don’t believe in censorship of any kind and this just feels like a lubed up slope straight to a Orwellian nightmare.

  15. Their militia ban would run afoul of the SC ruling of Presser vs. Illinois. The states cannot prohibit the keeping and bearing of arms depriving the Federal Government of it’s rightful resource. (trained fighting men)

  16. Banning natural gas in areas that have had massive electrical blackouts,hilarious. Any professional kitchen has gas stoves,the infinite heat regulation is key to quality food. Have used induction heating(instead of torch) and controlling heat can be difficult . Would the areas banning gas have to shutdown the gas generators?

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