Saturday Update January 19, 2013
Our Lady of Saturdays; St. Marius and Companions, St. Canute
*CMA ORANGE
Finally, brethren, be strengthened in the Lord, and in the might of his power. Put you on the armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the deceits of the devil. Ephesians 6:10-11
On the Lighter Side…
Gun Free Zone – Get Yours Today!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0vyxgJLJVA
Edit. Gun Free Zone… it defies logic! Most people don’t realize, largely because the media does not report it, but all the mass shootings of late have occurred in Gun Free Zones.
Economics…
Greeks Raid Forests in Search of Wood to Heat Homes
When confronted, the man (a firewood poacher) broke down in tears, saying he was unemployed and needed the wood to warm the home he shares with his wife and four small children, because he could no longer afford heating oil
http://libertyblitzkrieg.com/2013/01/13/greeks-raid-forests-in-search-of-wood-to-heat-homes/
Edit. The lawlessness of desperation is rearing its ugly head in all the PIGS nations, but none more so than Greece. Admittedly this nation was one of the proudest Socialist countries of the world for decades. Now however, it comes time to pay the piper. People forget that there really is no such thing as a free lunch; somebody somewhere will pay for the gluttony of the past. Unfortunately, the young Greeks, the offspring of those who benefited from the past good times, must now foot the exorbitant bill of fare. Is this a harbinger of what is to come for the rest of us? Unfortunately it is so! As governments kick the can down the road, avoiding hard decisions now it will only compound the inevitable payment for the indulgence of the current generation. As our leaderless leaders line their pockets and assure their financial and social status with QE Infinity, and ceiling-less debt limits, we not only prolong the current financial, cultural, and social malaise, we also heap an incredible burden on our children, grandchildren, and generations yet unborn. Yet instead of feelings of guilt I know of at least one man who once told me: I got mine; now it time for my kids to get theirs. Let them worry about their own finances. How cold! How uncaring, but not out of character for the “me generation”.
So now from Greece, the Cradle of Democracy, we go to the real Story of the Golden Fleece as our political leaders once again try to stick it to their constituents, more properly called cattle. See the article below for details.
Illinois Legislator Wants To Register Buyers of Gold and Silver Coins
Why would a politician want a list of people who own precious metals? Two reasons come to mind – and both could be true. First, people who stock up on gold or silver are assumed to be preparing for tough times. They’re ‘Preppers’. Preppers typically are also stocking up on food, guns, and ammunition. They may have these things in their homes before registration of them goes into effect.
Second, so the gold and silver can be confiscated.
Edit. As the financial situation deteriorates, we the cattle, are constantly being cut-off from any independent actions through which we can survive as individuals, families, or smaller communities in an ever increasing Socialist world. We have rumblings of limitations on wood burning stoves as alternative means of heating our homes; we have imperious Executive Orders limiting our options for storing food and fuel; and we have draconian and fundamentally illegal gun control laws with which we might defend ourselves and our families in an increasingly lawless and violent society. Now, as the above article illustrates, steps are being taken limiting the average person’s exposure to a fiat and inflated currency. We see again restrictions on our options for financial survival. In essence, our government is making felons of many, who like the desperate Greek in the first article above, may have no alternatives for feeding and protecting his family. It seems that we are in a game of Cat and Mouse. Every time necessity demands clever invention to avoid destitution our leaders formulate a roadblock.
Inflation Propaganda Exposed
Peter Schiff explains how the official price inflation measurement is not reflecting the daily reality. That is because since the 1970′s the preferred government inflation metrics have changed thoroughly. Beginning in the early 1980′s the methodologies were altered to compensate for a variety of consumer behavior. The new “chain weighted CPI” for instance incorporates changes in relative spending, substitution bias, and subjective improvements in product quality. If you simply focus on price, especially on those staple commodity goods and services that haven’t radically changed over the years, the underreporting of inflation becomes more apparent.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pwI3Nya5L9g
Edit.. This is exactly what I’ve been saying since inception of Catholic Rural Solutions all those many years ago. As to what is the answer? Well, since the government is powerless or worse, couldn’t care less it is once again up to the individual and families to assume responsibility for their own well-being. We must hunker down in the face of the financial whirlwind about to engulf us. Put back supplies, plan on gardening to offset the food budget, the same for animal husbandry, and prepare for lawlessness to a greater or lesser degree depending on where you live.
Rumors of Wars
Japan scrambles jets against Chinese military planes
Japan scrambled fighter jets Thursday to head off a number of Chinese military planes near islands at the center of a territorial dispute, Japanese media said.
On Wednesday, the conservative Sankei Shimbun reported that the number of Chinese military planes nearing Japanese territory had increased since Japan nationalized the islands.
The paper said Japan’s air force had scrambled fighter jets to intercept Chinese military aircraft numerous times over the past few months. Defense officials said they could not confirm the report.
http://www.japantoday.com/category/national/view/japan-scrambles-jets-against-china-military-planes
Islamist rebels gaining ground in Mali, French defense minister says
World leaders from a number of countries have said they’ll send troops or provide logistical support for the fight against Islamist militants in the West African nation.
France took the international lead in assisting Mali over the weekend, with military airstrikes targeting rebel training camps and other targets.
http://www.cnn.com/2013/01/14/world/africa/mali-military-offensive/index.html
Edit. As the world’s national economies descend into a death spiral more and more of each nation’s leaders are falling back on the old ploy of military action. This makes a sort of illogical sense in that it: takes pressure off of the situations at home, keeps the youth, (generally the demographic with the largest unemployment and most likely to foment trouble) occupied, and it helps in a limited way to stimulate the domestic economy. This is the bug-a-boo that Dwight D. Eisenhower warned against in his Farewell Address back in the Fifties, that is, the Military-Industrial Complex.
Each time we indulge in these desperate military actions, we not only endanger the world in this age of WMD’s, but also enable Islamists to form religious autocracies. Tunisia, Libya, Iraq, Egypt, and now Syria are all examples of this. If you doubt this read the next article.
Faith and Morals…
Egyptian Cleric Warns Christian Women: If You Don’t Wear a Veil You’ll Be Raped
A Salafi preacher in Egypt is promoting the idea of an anti-vice religious police force like in Saudi Arabia and says even Christian women should be veiled when they are outdoors, unless they “want to get raped on the streets.”
Edit. It is most important to bear in mind that Egypt was a moderate pro-Western state for a long time; it had a large Coptic Christian population that has always faced Moslem discrimination. Lately, that discrimination has turned bloody and many Christians have been martyred for the Faith, yes, martyred for the Faith! Yet it makes little news. Most of this blood martyrdom has increased since the Western-assisted overthrow of a relatively stable and tolerant government. This pattern has been repeated over and over again since the so-called Arab Spring of 2010; all with the help of Western Allies. Effectively we have installed an Islamist Brotherhood of loosely associated Moslem Terrorists, who BTW, most often were insurgents in these Arab States. It is also interesting to note that Egypt was the birthplace and home of the Founder of the Islamic Brotherhood.
Jews-Catholics: Card. Koch (HOLY SEE), “Unthinkable” to Question The Council
There is no doubt in the Catholic Church that this Declaration (Nostra Aetate Declaration) is still valid today. It is rejected only by a small group, the Lefebvrians, who are opposed to ecumenical dialogue, relations with the Jews and religious freedom. The latter are actually key points in the Magisterium of the Holy Father, and if a group does not accept the Council or the Magisterium, it should ask itself whether it is Catholic. This is the fundamental question”.
http://www.agenziasir.it/pls/sir/v4_s2doc_b.stampa_quotidiani_cons?id_oggetto=253607
Edit. Interesting! Reading between the lines one can see the basic relationship between the Vatican and the SSPX has fundamentally changed. Before the talks, which began in 2009 we were disparagingly called, schismatic, Lefebvreists, Rigorists, etc. After opening of the talks, we were known as breakaway traditional Catholics, Traditionalists, dissidents, and other more charitable names. From the above article one can now see we are once again back in the doghouse, once again known as Lefebvrians.
The question now is does His Excellency Bishop Bernard Fellay, Superior General of the SSPX, consider this? …official, unofficial, Vatican rumor, or news from an “insider friend”?
Meantime, we of traditional Catholicism, should continue to play the conscience of the Church, this was our mission at the outset and remains so today. We must consistently remind the Church of orthodox doctrine and dogma as taught by the traditional Catholic Magisterium of the Church rather than the subjective ever changing New Magisterium of the NewChurch as promoted especially by Pope Benedict XVI.
Health and Wellness: formerly called Emerging Illnesses (Pestilence)…
Nine DIY home remedies to beat the flu even during an epidemic
Even during a flu epidemic, there’s no reason to fear becoming sick if you have the following home remedies on hand. Some act to protect you ahead of time before even getting sick, while others help you to recover after contracting the illness.
http://www.naturalnews.com/038689_flu_pandemic_home_remedies_influenza.html#ixzz2I8p2IDEP
Edit. Once again I’m not giving medical advice, (see disclaimer below in red), the protocols outlined in this article are what I personally use to one degree or another and find it effective. That said, this past Christmas holiday period we here at Hunny-Bunny Farm suffered through a severe flu experience. So while nothing can stop such occurrences, we can mitigate the sufferings considerably by taking hold of responsibility for our own well-being. Meantime, those of us who are aware and do not just follow the dictates of the popular media, know that there is much that is wrong with the flu vaccines touted by Big Pharma, ranging from the wrong vaccine for the season; to long lead times for the correct flu vaccine; to the adjuvants, that is, the carrier or enhancing media used to facilitate the active ingredient in the vaccines. Read, study, and seek God’s guidance through prayer.
The Times They Are a Changin’…
EPA To Outlaw Many Wood Burning Stoves
The EPA’s new environmental regulations reduce the amount of airborne fine-particle matter from 15 micrograms to 12 micrograms per cubic meter of air.
This means that most wood burning stoves would now fall into a class that would deemed unacceptable under these new draconian measures. The EPA has even launched a nifty new website called burn wise to try to sway public opinion.
Read more: http://clashdaily.com/2013/01/off-grid-attack-epa-to-outlaw-many-wood-burning-stoves/#ixzz2I2fBPQ2t
Edit. Way back in 1986 I installed a Russo Wood / Coal Stove into our fireplace, (at that time American made like most everything else). This versatile stove was a godsend for all the money it saved us in our home space heating. Effectively we were able to avoid the ever increasingly rising costs of domestic home heating oil by only limiting it to our domestic hot water needs. At the time of installation it was perfectly legal, (and safe, I might add) to connect the wood stove inserts directly to the fireplace flue without the need for an insulated stainless steel liners. At the time we went through about a ton of coal per season at about $250 and less than a cord (true cord) of wood as well. Typically, I would start the season by burning wood from about Columbus Day, (mid-October) through Thanksgiving, (last Thursday in November. Then I would switch to coal, which would burn until St. Patrick’s Day, (mid-March); at which point it was back to wood heat on those chilly spring mornings. BTW, I would start a coal fire just after Thanksgiving and that same fire could actually last all season. However, I like to break down the fire in mid-January and relight it because the ash builds up on the sides and insulates the heat. This is still the routine I follow, but we now generally go through about a ton and a half of nut & slack coal (a commercial coal term) per season. I tend to like it a bit warmer now that I’m older and home more often.
Over this time, I’ve noticed several changes in burning wood and coal. Needless to say, the cost for one has risen sharply; now in 2013 the prices have doubled. Part of the reason for the increase in coal is that there are fewer and fewer coal suppliers so those remaining set the price. The price of wood has also doubled not so much based on supply, especially this year with the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, but it has more to do with the increase in fuel for the chainsaw and log splitters, in addition to the machines increased costs. At any rate, the cost ratio of oil to coal/wood remains approximately the same.
Another change is the new code requirement that a chimney liner must be installed in the fireplace flue. This is a very costly additional requirement by the Nanny-State which tends to negate any savings in utilizing wood / coal over oil. Obviously, this was by design to limit the amount of wood burning particulates. This is clearly a false economy as there are far more particulates from cars, trucks, utilities and other carbon based engines than a wood or coal burner put out. These restrictions are more to keep individual families tied to the system making them more dependent rather than independent.
These latest EPA regs merely reinforce this individual dependence and do little to improve air quality overall.
Politics and more…
Biden: W.H. readies 19 executive actions on guns
The White House has identified 19 executive actions for President Barack Obama to move unilaterally on gun control, Vice President Joe Biden told a group of House Democrats on Monday, the administration’s first definitive statements about its response to last month’s mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School.
Edit. From the White House, through Congress, to the State Legislatures, Governors, mayors, and even town councils, law-abiding American citizens are in the cross-hairs of politically motivated and emotionally unstable liberals. Under the momentum of the Sandy Hook tragedy the 2nd Amendment right to bear arms is under assault. However, what most of these liberals, and even law abiding gun owners for that matter, fail to understand is that the right of self-defense, as described under Amendment II, is just that a RIGHT, given by God …not a privilege granted by government, Supreme Court Justices, nor voters at polling places. Any law that curtails in any way any of your rights to protect you and yours, subjecting you to authorities who are critical minutes beyond help, is wrong and unjust. As such by its very nature these laws are “null and void”. This, of course, does not mean we can ignore it without consequence, because it has the force of law, though unjust, behind it; thus we will be subject to enforcement if we choose to ignore it. This is a costly option in terms of money and liberty so the only options is to fight back through the law, the legislature, and by organization and mobilization of groups like the National Rifle Association and the Gun Owners of America. Join both of these fine organizations today and also participate in the show of political force at your State capital today, Saturday, January 19, 2013. No matter how personally inconvenient we must show these legislators that we are a force to be reckoned with.
GOP congressman threatens impeachment if Obama uses executive action for gun control
“I will seek to thwart this action by any means necessary, including but not limited to eliminating funding for implementation, defunding the White House, and even filing articles of impeachment,” Stockman said in a statement.
Edit. Finally we have a representative of the people speaking out on the rights of the people.
Let the Men of Wisdom Speak…
Continuing the highlights of the Family Conference given in Boston, Kentucky between Christmas and New Year’s last I present below the conferences of Frs. Joseph Pfeiffer and Hewko. Both priests hold fast to Eternal Rome and although now independent SSPX priest continue to speak the Truth in season and out of season. Please consider donating to the support of these intrepid clerics, as they no longer have a structure of support and are attempting to feed as many of the sheep who constantly call on them for the Sacraments and guidance.
Frs. Pfeiffer and Hewko’s First conference 12-29-12
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0eFW_3Dv5Ac
Frs. Hewko and Pfeiffer’s Second conference 12 31 12
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=feNFy6GX8tc
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Sufficient for the day is the evil thereof.
Domestically Speaking…
I was finally able to give a quick study to, what I call, the security seeds type collections of products available from various long-term storage seed companies. While it most difficult to compare apples-to-apples, (if you’ll pardon the gardening pun), it seems for the most part there is much to desire in each of the offered products.
My first observation is that no company offers what I would call the ideal “garden in a can” product. This is easy to understand considering that there are tremendous differences in climate in their overall huge market. I think it would be better if, say in the US, they would offer products on a regional, State, or even areas within the States which are the best suited species and varieties for that environment. Obviously, this would require time consuming research into the micro-climates of various areas. This could be cut considerably if they studied customer feedback and preferences and then categorized them to even county levels.
I’ve also found that many companies offer a “generic” type of selection which seems popular over several regions and may not necessarily be suited to your own micro-climate. This again goes back to the preceding paragraph.
Another observation is that the seeds are generally overpriced. True in the “security seed” category you do get more seed, (on some varieties), but even then it is overpriced when roughly considering the weighted-average cost of seed. The costs for the “security seeds” range from $39.95 all the way up to $199 per can or order. Obviously, there is a difference in the size of the cans / orders, but as I said it is hard to compare these companies “apple to apple”. The best way would be to have each offering physically in front of you to compare sizes, species, varieties, etc., but this is, of course, cost prohibitive.
One final observation is that the larger offerings of “security seeds” is more tailored to the larger gardens and small self-sufficient farms. There products include items that would not be of use to a small-holding or backyard homesteader, most especially in a suburban setting. Such offerings are best suited to adequate acreage of approximately between 5 and 10 acres. As an example, many products offer various wheat varieties such as hard winter wheat; they also offer dent or field corn which requires a rinsing in lye to make the produce palatable. These types of offerings are really crops and not garden variety seeds.
Ultimately, the best situation would be to select one “garden in a can” product from your selected company and use this as a foundation for your own individual preferences and needs by supplementing the varieties that you like and that grow best in your area. My personal choice is http://www.seedskit.com/complete_garden_kit.html . While the selection leaves much to be desired because I’ve not had the opportunity to see how many of the species and varieties grow in my area, with the proper supplementation of my favorite and successful seeds, this would make a basis for my very own personal “garden in a can” collection. Obviously, we are talking a few seasons of trial and error to arrive at a personal ideal garden; so much for those who think that when The Schumer Hits the Fan, they will simply commence gardening for their food and hunting for their meat.
Next Week: My Ideal Garden Picks (for cold New England).
Putting It all In Perspective & Final commentary…
This was a dynamic week for news events. Everything ranging from religion, through war and on into finances and freedom have made it difficult to choose the stories to highlight in this issue of CRS without exceeding the limits of patience of the readership. It would appear most things are in a state of flux and events seem to change from day to day.
Unfortunately, most of the changes are not positive but continue on a downward spiral. The reason is that no matter how many times we see that when we exclude Christ and His Church from Society there is an inevitable decline in the human condition. It is important to recall that we are made for God; without him we fall into sin and chaos.
We can take heart in two facts: 1) Christ will be with His Church until the end; 2) In the end our Lady’s Immaculate Heart will triumph. We must hold fast to these two promises and continue to pray for the Consecration of Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
So pray fervently the Rosary for the Consecration of Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
Richard of Danbury, D.S.G.
Caveat: I’m not in any way giving or advocating any medical or financial advice but merely informing you of the controversies involved in this topic and the dilemma they present to the thinking Catholic in our times. I do not intend to give medical or financial advice or take any responsibility for anyone else’s health, medical or financial positions and decisions and as always encourage everyone to be fully informed, through personal research and contact a professional advisor before making any medical or financial decisions.
Special Note: Catholic Rural Solutions WordPress Weblog is a private blog run by Richard of Danbury, which promotes small-scale practical Catholic Distributist solutions for traditional Catholic families, and is centered on the Tridentine Rite of Mass and the integral and unadulterated Sacraments pre-VCII. We also have available to the readership many valuable and interesting files, photos and other helpful information on Distributism, gardening, small-scale livestock, preserving and misc. recipes, as well as, a comprehensive book list at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Catholic_Rural_Solutions/
Old-Style Rural Solutions Blog 