Follow Up on Brain Tanning Hides

Several readers have asked a couple of questions about the article, so I thought I’d respond in a post.

First off, if you’re going to kill a trapped rabbit, you can either shoot it in the head with a 22 or brain it with a rock. Then just cut the head off and skin it. You can also tie it up and cut the throat and hang it to bleed out. This will save the hide for tanning and be quick for the rabbit.

Any hide can be used for moccasins. To get good wear, simply stitch an exterior sole on the bottom of the moccasin. Rabbit hides can also be formed or stitched into cloaks for warmth.

Brain tanning in a wet or very humid environment can be very challenging. A fresh hide can be subject to bacteria degradation and wild animal scavenging. It’s all edible to them.

The best practice is to stretch the hide as you normally would, then place it above a smoky fire. Not too close as to actually feel the heat because you don’t want to cook the hide, just dry and preserve it. You also want the hide stretched in order to eliminate pockets or folds that would be excellent sources for bacteria. The old timers used to hoist the hides high up in the direct path of the smoke ventilation of the wiki-ups and lodges. The smoke should encase the hide while it dries, so figure on at least 10 feet above a small fire. I’d suggest a cedar fire to also deter bugs. Damp cedar makes an excellent smoke fire.

The process will take longer and require a lot more inspection. When you think the hide is “stiff as a board”, then take it down and “break” it over a peeled log set in the ground at a 45 degree angle. The log should be smooth without any rough spots that could tear the hide. Once the hide is flexible, re-stretch the hide and repeat the process. When the hide is still soft and pliable when you take it down from the smoker, then you’re done and ready to make clothing or whatever.

YeOldFurt

SKS and AK Ammo May Get Scarce

From the BBC News Europe:

Major Fire At Russian Arms Depot

A fire at a defence ministry navy arsenal on the outskirts of the city of Ulyanovsk caused blasts which shattered windows of nearby homes.

But officials now say that 43 people missing feared dead have been found safe in a bomb shelter near the site.

Some 3,000 people were evacuated from the surrounding area, the local governor was quoted as saying.

The depot is about 900km (550 miles) south-east of the capital, Moscow.

Station closed

Two firefighters died at the Arsenal 31 depot after the blasts, Ulyanovsk Governor Sergei Morozov told the BBC.

Mr Morozov was earlier quoted in Russian media as saying that at least 10 people were taken to hospital.

The ministry of defence said that 43 missing people had been found safe and well in the bomb shelter.

Explosions at the depot continued into the night, with TV footage of the area showing intermittent blasts sending thick plumes of smoke high into the air.

The fire started at around 1600 local time (1300 GMT) while ammunition was being disposed of at the site, the regional Federal Security Service were reported as saying by Itar-Tass news agency.

Firefighters at the scene were battling the blaze several hours after it started.

A large exclusion zone has been set up around the depot.

The Federal Security Service advised Ulyanovsk residents to buy gauze masks and stock up on drinking water, but added that the situation was under control.

However, Mr Morozov was quoted by Russia's Vesti-24 television as saying that such measures were unnecessary because no chemical weapons were involved in the explosions.

A railway station 3km (1.8 miles) away from the depot was closed as a result of the fire, the report said.

A criminal investigation into the accident is under way.

Ulyanovsk sits beside the Volga river and is the birthplace of Vladimir Lenin.

YeOldFurt

An Interesting Tidbit

From World Net Daily:

Framed For Child Porn - By a PC Virus

An excerpt:

"Whatever the motivation, you get child porn on your computer - and might not realise it until police knock at your door.

There have been cases in which innocent people have been branded as pedophiles after their co-workers or loved ones stumbled upon child porn placed on a PC through a virus. It can cost victims hundreds of thousands of dollars to prove their innocence."

Read the whole thing:

http://www.smh.com.au/technology/security/framed-for-child-porn--by-a-pc-virus-20091112-ibib.html

YeOldFurt

Even Some Congressmen Understand

From an alert of Congressman Michael McCaul of Texas:

Dear Friends,

Last night I joined a bipartisan front voting against H.R. 3962, the Democrats’ $1.3 trillion takeover of the American healthcare system. The bill passed the U.S. House by two votes, a slim 220-215 margin, with only one Republican voting in favor and 39 Democrats opposing. It is not representative of our nation as a whole, and I believe this legislation will have a more difficult road in the Senate. I co-sponsored and voted for the Republican alternative plan, which I believe is the common-sense approach to ensuring healthcare is more affordable and accessible to every American. The following is my floor speech from last night:


“In the 72 hours we were allowed, Republicans weeded through thousands of pages of bureaucratic provisions, mandates, programs and spending. Despite its monstrous size, this health care takeover has come down to a few clear, evident points: it raises taxes, raises premiums, increases health care costs, and dumps trillions of dollars of debt on our children and grandchildren. Small businesses and families will bear the weight of this bill for generations.

“We all agree that health care reform is urgently needed, but this bill destroys the American health care system as opposed to improving it. Instead of incentivizing the private market to offer more affordable health care coverage options, it punishes small businesses and their employees. It threatens jail time for individuals who do not purchase insurance and could soon lead to the rationing of care, depriving Americans of life-saving treatments that are not deemed “cost-effective.” Even doctors, the most experienced in this health care debate, oppose this proposal and have shared concerns of the many clinics and hospitals that will be forced to reduce or deny services.

“The over 2,000 page spending plan imposes nearly $800 billion in new taxes on individuals, families and small businesses. It places mandates on both individuals and employers which, according to the President’s Economic Advisor, will result in the loss of up to 5.5 million jobs. These mandates will also discourage the hiring of low-wage and minority workers. In the face of both a recession and a 10.2% unemployment rate, Speaker Pelosi’s unprecedented tax-and-spend approach will come at the expense of American citizens.

“Moreover, while the majority of Americans are happy with their health care coverage, an estimated 114 million Americans will lose their insurance under Speaker Pelosi’s plan and be dumped into the government-run option. The plan also cuts more than $170 billion from Medicare Advantage plans, jeopardizing millions of seniors’ existing coverage. The bill puts the government in the middle of Americans’ personal health care decisions, as opposed to reform based on improving the quality and affordability of health care.

“While Democrats have continually touted the benefits of a public option, they themselves voted against an amendment to require enrollment for Members of Congress. This speaks volumes to the true quality of a government plan, as what I view as adequate coverage for the American public would also be adequate for my family. Furthermore, the bill also abolishes the private health insurance market, forcing all individuals to purchase coverage through a government-controlled Exchange and eliminating choices from the health care system. While this bill takes care of Members of Congress, it eliminates the freedom of choice for the American public.

“Republicans have introduced numerous bills to provide improvements in the cost and delivery of health care, but we have been denied a seat at the table. Behind closed doors, the Democrats crafted a monstrosity of a bill to take over one sixth of the economy, and then limited floor debate to four or five hours on one of the most sweeping pieces of legislation we have ever seen.

“The Republican alternative provides a common-sense approach to the main problems in our health care system. It would lower premiums, decrease health care costs, reign in federal spending, and allow for more options, choice, and innovation in the health care system.

“The non-partisan Congressional Budget Office has estimated that average premiums under the Republican alternative would be almost $5,000 less than under the Democratic plan in 2016. It would provide incentive grants for states to further lower premiums, and allow businesses to innovate ways to promote health and wellness and curb health care spending. The alternative would also expand high risk pools, prohibit insurance companies from denying individuals with pre-existing conditions, and ensure inter-state purchasing of health insurance. These reforms would drive down the costs of health care to make it more affordable for Americans while also protecting the choice and numerous options that citizens need.

“I have spoken to many health care professionals in my District as well as held town halls with my constituents, and both have expressed not only their opposition, but their fear, of this government takeover of health care. We are not listening to Americans, and we are missing the opportunity to use insight from the experts in the field to enact meaningful reform. This bill is not what Americans have asked for.”

With Warmest Regards,

Michael T. McCaul

So what's it going to be?

YeOldFurt