
How To Figure Out If You Have A Cold, A Flu, Or Allergies
"When you wake up sick, with a scratchy throat, a stuffy nose, and a vague constellation of other miserable symptoms, it's important to figure out exactly what's ailing you. Is it just hay fever, or are you contagious? Should you suffer through the work day with your cold, or are you about to unleash a nasty strain of flu on your whole office? There are a few key strategies for determining the difference between three of the most common causes of respiratory distress: the cold, the flu, and seasonal allergies. We sorted through the research and talked to Dr. Robert Wergin, the president of the American Academy of Family Physicians, who has seen plenty of of sneezing, coughing patients since he began practicing medicine 34 years ago."
"When you wake up sick, with a scratchy throat, a stuffy nose, and a vague constellation of other miserable symptoms, it's important to figure out exactly what's ailing you. Is it just hay fever, or are you contagious? Should you suffer through the work day with your cold, or are you about to unleash a nasty strain of flu on your whole office? There are a few key strategies for determining the difference between three of the most common causes of respiratory distress: the cold, the flu, and seasonal allergies. We sorted through the research and talked to Dr. Robert Wergin, the president of the American Academy of Family Physicians, who has seen plenty of of sneezing, coughing patients since he began practicing medicine 34 years ago."
Cops Can Use Fake Facebook Accounts To Lure Suspects, Says Judge
"If you’re a criminal, be careful who you friend on Facebook. A federal judge ruled last week that law enforcement can create fake social network profiles in order to search through a suspect’s account. Cops can lure suspects into “friending” them and then use the content of their Facebook, Instagram or other social media accounts against them in court."
"If you’re a criminal, be careful who you friend on Facebook. A federal judge ruled last week that law enforcement can create fake social network profiles in order to search through a suspect’s account. Cops can lure suspects into “friending” them and then use the content of their Facebook, Instagram or other social media accounts against them in court."

7 Things You Must Know to Be a Free-Thinker
"We all have a certain degree of admiration for those forward-thinkers who were ahead of their time or for those free-spirited individuals who had the courage, the will and the foresight to speak out their minds despite risking being labelled as non-conformists and cast to the outer fringes of society. Well, truth be told, that is never a real threat for free thinkers. Actually that is where they belong and makes them what they are. Free-thinkers breathe and thrive at the margins of society where structure and chaos cross at the borderline. If you want to be a free thinker, embrace chaos, novelty, disruptive change and non-conformity. Free-thinkers live on the brink of social breakdown. They live on the edge, away from the anaesthesia of normalcy and institutionalised control. They are not held captive by the rigid walls of the dominating worldview. They do not fear change, poverty or conspiracy. If you want to free your thinking and become an agent of change and novelty, there are a few things you need to recognise and understand."
"We all have a certain degree of admiration for those forward-thinkers who were ahead of their time or for those free-spirited individuals who had the courage, the will and the foresight to speak out their minds despite risking being labelled as non-conformists and cast to the outer fringes of society. Well, truth be told, that is never a real threat for free thinkers. Actually that is where they belong and makes them what they are. Free-thinkers breathe and thrive at the margins of society where structure and chaos cross at the borderline. If you want to be a free thinker, embrace chaos, novelty, disruptive change and non-conformity. Free-thinkers live on the brink of social breakdown. They live on the edge, away from the anaesthesia of normalcy and institutionalised control. They are not held captive by the rigid walls of the dominating worldview. They do not fear change, poverty or conspiracy. If you want to free your thinking and become an agent of change and novelty, there are a few things you need to recognise and understand."
How Lung Cancer Spreads: Scientists Pinpoint Severed Protein In Cancerous Cells
"Scientists have discovered one way that lung cancer spreads: through the breaking of protein ties that keeps cells together. The binding keeping cells together is controlled by a protein called TIAM1. When cell maintenance breaks down, TIAM1 gets impaired and allows cells to fall apart, then spread throughout the body. “This important research shows for the first time how lung cancer cells sever ties with their neighbors and start to spread around the body, by hijacking the cells’ recycling process and sending it into overdrive,” Dr. Angeliki Malliri, a lead author of the study, said in a press release. “Targeting this flaw could help stop lung cancer from spreading.”
"Scientists have discovered one way that lung cancer spreads: through the breaking of protein ties that keeps cells together. The binding keeping cells together is controlled by a protein called TIAM1. When cell maintenance breaks down, TIAM1 gets impaired and allows cells to fall apart, then spread throughout the body. “This important research shows for the first time how lung cancer cells sever ties with their neighbors and start to spread around the body, by hijacking the cells’ recycling process and sending it into overdrive,” Dr. Angeliki Malliri, a lead author of the study, said in a press release. “Targeting this flaw could help stop lung cancer from spreading.”

Spirit Tap – How the Manipulators Steal Your Fight
"Ever wonder about all these rousing freedom fighting movies and “outnumbered little guy gets back” scenarios? Don’t they seem counter-productive to the cause of the contained control world we’re being shoe-horned into by the hour? In a world of manipulation and social engineering, why would so many heavily promoted dramas regarding rebellion against totalitarian control, and even specifically against a mechanistic, fascist future, be so prevalent? Think about how you feel after one such moving media event. Spent. You might identify with Braveheart or Leonidas and the 300 and every sinew in your body is pulsing with getting back at the Man. You feel vindicated in your convictions. “Yes, it’s always been this way and we too shall stand and fight to the finish!”..yada yada. Do you see that happening? Why do you think the droids of Orwell’s 1984 were not just allowed but encouraged to participate in the “2 minutes of hate” against the staged enemy of the day? Think maybe they knew this innate craving to rebel had to be vented? Sure don’t want it directed at the Elite PTBs now, do we?"
"Ever wonder about all these rousing freedom fighting movies and “outnumbered little guy gets back” scenarios? Don’t they seem counter-productive to the cause of the contained control world we’re being shoe-horned into by the hour? In a world of manipulation and social engineering, why would so many heavily promoted dramas regarding rebellion against totalitarian control, and even specifically against a mechanistic, fascist future, be so prevalent? Think about how you feel after one such moving media event. Spent. You might identify with Braveheart or Leonidas and the 300 and every sinew in your body is pulsing with getting back at the Man. You feel vindicated in your convictions. “Yes, it’s always been this way and we too shall stand and fight to the finish!”..yada yada. Do you see that happening? Why do you think the droids of Orwell’s 1984 were not just allowed but encouraged to participate in the “2 minutes of hate” against the staged enemy of the day? Think maybe they knew this innate craving to rebel had to be vented? Sure don’t want it directed at the Elite PTBs now, do we?"
Magic Growth Numbers — Paul Craig Roberts
"Everyone wants good news, so the government makes it up. The latest fiction is that US real GDP grew 4.6% in the second quarter and 5% in the third. Where did this growth come from? Not from rising real consumer incomes. Not from rising consumer credit. Not from rising real retail sales. Not from the housing sector. Not from a trade surplus. The growth came from a Bureau of Economic Analysis survey of consumer spending on services. The BEA found that spending on Obamacare drove the US real GDP growth to 5% in the third quarter."
"Everyone wants good news, so the government makes it up. The latest fiction is that US real GDP grew 4.6% in the second quarter and 5% in the third. Where did this growth come from? Not from rising real consumer incomes. Not from rising consumer credit. Not from rising real retail sales. Not from the housing sector. Not from a trade surplus. The growth came from a Bureau of Economic Analysis survey of consumer spending on services. The BEA found that spending on Obamacare drove the US real GDP growth to 5% in the third quarter."

How Vulnerable Is America to Mass Starvation?
"An estimated seven million people starved to death during the Great Depression. And amazingly, these people had food preparation skills that are basically a lost art in America today (e.g. canning). With a staggering debt looming over the country, how vulnerable are Americans to starvation if and when an economic collapse takes down our economy? It is not a secret that the world is in a desperate situation when it comes to overall world hunger."
"An estimated seven million people starved to death during the Great Depression. And amazingly, these people had food preparation skills that are basically a lost art in America today (e.g. canning). With a staggering debt looming over the country, how vulnerable are Americans to starvation if and when an economic collapse takes down our economy? It is not a secret that the world is in a desperate situation when it comes to overall world hunger."
Armed Home Intruders Put Gun To Woman’s Neck, Quickly Learn They Made a Huge Mistake
"A woman was inside her Tennessee home Tuesday night when there was a knock on her door a little after 6pm. When she opened the door, she was greeted by two armed thugs who stormed into the home. As they entered, one of the suspects pushed a handgun up against the woman’s neck. That suspect, identified as 22-year-old Nico Carlisle, was not yet aware of the huge mistake he had just made. Right before answering the door, the woman had retrieved a handgun of her own and had it in her hand. She quickly fired multiple shots, striking Carlisle in the process. When police arrived, Carlisle was found sitting hear the front door with multiple gunshot wounds. He was later pronounced dead. The other suspect ran off and is currently being sought by police. It is not known if he was also hit by the homeowner. The homeowner was not injured and is not expected to face any charges. Remember: Always carry while you’re at home."
(Sgt Trainer: And some folks think I'm silly because I carry while inside the house. The old adage "a man's home is his castle" does not mean that the castle is always safe or secure from intrusions. You do not KNOW that someone will not break in while you are home or pull the stunt portrayed in the above story.)
"A woman was inside her Tennessee home Tuesday night when there was a knock on her door a little after 6pm. When she opened the door, she was greeted by two armed thugs who stormed into the home. As they entered, one of the suspects pushed a handgun up against the woman’s neck. That suspect, identified as 22-year-old Nico Carlisle, was not yet aware of the huge mistake he had just made. Right before answering the door, the woman had retrieved a handgun of her own and had it in her hand. She quickly fired multiple shots, striking Carlisle in the process. When police arrived, Carlisle was found sitting hear the front door with multiple gunshot wounds. He was later pronounced dead. The other suspect ran off and is currently being sought by police. It is not known if he was also hit by the homeowner. The homeowner was not injured and is not expected to face any charges. Remember: Always carry while you’re at home."
(Sgt Trainer: And some folks think I'm silly because I carry while inside the house. The old adage "a man's home is his castle" does not mean that the castle is always safe or secure from intrusions. You do not KNOW that someone will not break in while you are home or pull the stunt portrayed in the above story.)
Has Drug-Driven Medicine Become A Form Of Human Sacrifice?
"We have entered an era where medicine no longer bears any resemblance to the art and science of healing. The doctor no longer facilitates the body’s innate self-healing capabilities with time, care, good nutrition and special help from our plant allies. To the contrary, medicine has transmogrified into a business enterprise founded on the inherently nihilistic principles of pure, unbridled capitalism, with an estimated 786,000 Americans dying annually from iatrogenic or medically-caused deaths.*
"We have entered an era where medicine no longer bears any resemblance to the art and science of healing. The doctor no longer facilitates the body’s innate self-healing capabilities with time, care, good nutrition and special help from our plant allies. To the contrary, medicine has transmogrified into a business enterprise founded on the inherently nihilistic principles of pure, unbridled capitalism, with an estimated 786,000 Americans dying annually from iatrogenic or medically-caused deaths.*
The Importance of Bushcraft and Survival During TEOTWAWKI, by M.R.
"You’ve all seen it. Hollywood makes films of a plane crash or shipwreck that cause only one or a few survivors to end up on a deserted island. He or she– the main character– frantically panics at first, maybe even screaming. Then a few months go by, the camera cuts back to him or her, and now this person is an advanced survivalist with a wide variety of skills and gear. They seamlessly kill and eat animals and make impractical but cool looking shelters. Then, he, for the sake of drama, is faced with some dire problem and has to overcome it with only his wits. Of course, this is just for entertainment purposes and is nothing like REAL survival. Real survival is horrible. This is just the plain and simple truth."
"You’ve all seen it. Hollywood makes films of a plane crash or shipwreck that cause only one or a few survivors to end up on a deserted island. He or she– the main character– frantically panics at first, maybe even screaming. Then a few months go by, the camera cuts back to him or her, and now this person is an advanced survivalist with a wide variety of skills and gear. They seamlessly kill and eat animals and make impractical but cool looking shelters. Then, he, for the sake of drama, is faced with some dire problem and has to overcome it with only his wits. Of course, this is just for entertainment purposes and is nothing like REAL survival. Real survival is horrible. This is just the plain and simple truth."

Billionaire Warns Of Massive Crash That Will Wipe Out America’s Colleges: “You’re Going To See A Repeat Of What We Saw In The Housing Market”
"The billionaire owner of the Dallas Mavericks says America’s colleges are in serious trouble and that over a trillion dollars in student loans will put many of them out of business. For years the federal government has been subsidizing loans, much like they did with houses ahead of the 2008 crash. This has led to increased tuition costs and lending to individuals who will more than likely never be able to pay back their student loans. The end result, according to Mark Cuban, will be a bursting of the debt bubble, a significant drop in college tuitions, and an outright collapse of America’s institution of higher learning.... Though going to college was a stepping stone for bigger and better things several decades ago, the notion that having a degree is the only road to success today is one of the largest scams in U.S. history:"
"The billionaire owner of the Dallas Mavericks says America’s colleges are in serious trouble and that over a trillion dollars in student loans will put many of them out of business. For years the federal government has been subsidizing loans, much like they did with houses ahead of the 2008 crash. This has led to increased tuition costs and lending to individuals who will more than likely never be able to pay back their student loans. The end result, according to Mark Cuban, will be a bursting of the debt bubble, a significant drop in college tuitions, and an outright collapse of America’s institution of higher learning.... Though going to college was a stepping stone for bigger and better things several decades ago, the notion that having a degree is the only road to success today is one of the largest scams in U.S. history:"
First-Time Home Buyers: Quick 3-Step Guide
"If you’re a first-time home buyer, you may be feeling a little overwhelmed when other people describe some of the things you need to do to jump into the market. However, if you go about house hunting and financing in a methodical way following three steps, all the pieces will fall into place."
"If you’re a first-time home buyer, you may be feeling a little overwhelmed when other people describe some of the things you need to do to jump into the market. However, if you go about house hunting and financing in a methodical way following three steps, all the pieces will fall into place."
The Shelter – A Must Watch for Preppers
"This short 30 minute movie shows a depiction of the real nature of people, and just how quickly your friends, neighbors, and even family will turn on you. The threat in the video is an atomic bomb, but the reaction from those around you would be the same if you were down to your last can of beans and they had none. They would kill you and your family to take it to extend their life for a few more hours."
"This short 30 minute movie shows a depiction of the real nature of people, and just how quickly your friends, neighbors, and even family will turn on you. The threat in the video is an atomic bomb, but the reaction from those around you would be the same if you were down to your last can of beans and they had none. They would kill you and your family to take it to extend their life for a few more hours."
13 Days of Giving: Every Step in Canning PDF
(Sgt Trainer: When you go to this page, you can click on "Print", "PDF", or "Email". To save this document to your computer, click on the "PDF" icon and save it. You can also print it directly if you are so inclined...just click on the "Print" icon.)
(Sgt Trainer: When you go to this page, you can click on "Print", "PDF", or "Email". To save this document to your computer, click on the "PDF" icon and save it. You can also print it directly if you are so inclined...just click on the "Print" icon.)
120 Powerful Pieces Of Advice For Preppers
"Actually, it is absolutely amazing that there are so many people out there that still believe that “prepping” is not necessary. When people ask me what they can do to prepare, there is usually one tip that I give above everything else. It is not very “sexy”, but it is absolutely foundational. During the last recession, millions of people lost their jobs, and because a lot of them had no financial cushion, many of them also lost their homes. For the next couple of years, my number one tip is to build up an emergency fund. If you are a prepper and you are living month to month, then you are in a very vulnerable position. What is going to happen to all of your preparations if something goes wrong and you suddenly lose your home to foreclosure? I recommend that everyone have an emergency fund that will be able to cover all bills and expenses for at least six months. Yes, cash is continually losing value. But during any economic downturn it is absolutely essential that you be able to continue to pay your bills. Having a cash reserve is the smart thing to do. So what else can people do to start prepping for the tough times that are on the horizon?"
"Actually, it is absolutely amazing that there are so many people out there that still believe that “prepping” is not necessary. When people ask me what they can do to prepare, there is usually one tip that I give above everything else. It is not very “sexy”, but it is absolutely foundational. During the last recession, millions of people lost their jobs, and because a lot of them had no financial cushion, many of them also lost their homes. For the next couple of years, my number one tip is to build up an emergency fund. If you are a prepper and you are living month to month, then you are in a very vulnerable position. What is going to happen to all of your preparations if something goes wrong and you suddenly lose your home to foreclosure? I recommend that everyone have an emergency fund that will be able to cover all bills and expenses for at least six months. Yes, cash is continually losing value. But during any economic downturn it is absolutely essential that you be able to continue to pay your bills. Having a cash reserve is the smart thing to do. So what else can people do to start prepping for the tough times that are on the horizon?"
Emergency self-defense
"John Lott posted nine recent cases of self-defense where a homeowner or resident had to use a firearm at terrifyingly short notice to stop an intruder. Reading them reminded me once again of how vulnerable most of us are to a no-notice home invasion. Ask yourselves these questions."
"John Lott posted nine recent cases of self-defense where a homeowner or resident had to use a firearm at terrifyingly short notice to stop an intruder. Reading them reminded me once again of how vulnerable most of us are to a no-notice home invasion. Ask yourselves these questions."

What would happen if the Yellowstone Supervolcano erupted?
"There is a new study on the topic: “In August 2014, USGS scientists Larry Mastin and Jacob Lowenstern, and National Science Foundation researcher Alexa Van Eaton published research on where volcanic ash would fall if a Yellowstone supereruption were to occur today….” The researchers were particularly interested in the amount and location of the ash fallout. The ash from a volcano is what makes any volcanic eruption harmful to faraway places. The ash cloud interferes with airline flights, causing them to be cancelled or rerouted. For a large enough eruption, the ash can reach the upper atmosphere, remain there for months (or years) and reduce the amount of sunlight reaching the earth. The cooling effect can be remarkable."
"There is a new study on the topic: “In August 2014, USGS scientists Larry Mastin and Jacob Lowenstern, and National Science Foundation researcher Alexa Van Eaton published research on where volcanic ash would fall if a Yellowstone supereruption were to occur today….” The researchers were particularly interested in the amount and location of the ash fallout. The ash from a volcano is what makes any volcanic eruption harmful to faraway places. The ash cloud interferes with airline flights, causing them to be cancelled or rerouted. For a large enough eruption, the ash can reach the upper atmosphere, remain there for months (or years) and reduce the amount of sunlight reaching the earth. The cooling effect can be remarkable."
They Promised Us Peace If We Gave Up Our Guns
"They promised us peace if we would accept a little regulation. We barely paid attention, but we said “Sure, that sounds good. Where do I sign?” They promised that armed assault would stop in Washington State if we only had “universal firearms background checks”. Unless you’re a stupid Washington voter, it shouldn’t surprise you that armed robbery didn’t stop. In fact, crime continued as if the new law didn’t exist. It was a Washington fantasy to think criminals would obey the next gun law after criminals ignored the thousands of gun laws that came before. Unfortunately, it is easy to sell fantasies at the Washington ballot box when you have tens of millions of dollars on your side. Are stupid Washington voters surprised or embarrassed that criminals don’t obey the newest gun laws? Those laws still leave honest gun owners as the victim of another insane firearms restriction. That was the plan all along. We were sold peace if only we would accept one more firearms regulation."
"They promised us peace if we would accept a little regulation. We barely paid attention, but we said “Sure, that sounds good. Where do I sign?” They promised that armed assault would stop in Washington State if we only had “universal firearms background checks”. Unless you’re a stupid Washington voter, it shouldn’t surprise you that armed robbery didn’t stop. In fact, crime continued as if the new law didn’t exist. It was a Washington fantasy to think criminals would obey the next gun law after criminals ignored the thousands of gun laws that came before. Unfortunately, it is easy to sell fantasies at the Washington ballot box when you have tens of millions of dollars on your side. Are stupid Washington voters surprised or embarrassed that criminals don’t obey the newest gun laws? Those laws still leave honest gun owners as the victim of another insane firearms restriction. That was the plan all along. We were sold peace if only we would accept one more firearms regulation."
Here are 8 ways used car dealers can swindle you
"December, particularly late in the month, is a particularly good time to buy a used car, and is historically one of the busiest times of year for sales volume. The reason? Late December has great deals, as dealers are trying to move used car inventories off their lots to meet year-end sales goals. As cars are more reliable than ever before, buying a used car makes a lot of sense. Cars up to five or six years of age are often the best values. Not only are their prices far less than a comparable new car (values depreciate the quickest in the first four years), ownership expenses such as taxes and insurance are often much lower. Many used cars will also remain dependable for many years to come, making them a shrewd financial decision. If you are thinking about buying a used car, we recommend referring to J.D. Power & Associates’ list of vehicles rated highly for dependability. You should also refer to Edmunds.com’s Consumer Ratings and Reviews to read about other owners’ personal experiences with their vehicles. Even with all this good news, there are still many perils when buying a used car, and if you don’t know how to spot them, you can end up paying thousands of dollars more than you should or even losing the car. Here are eight tricks used-car dealers use to rip you off."
"December, particularly late in the month, is a particularly good time to buy a used car, and is historically one of the busiest times of year for sales volume. The reason? Late December has great deals, as dealers are trying to move used car inventories off their lots to meet year-end sales goals. As cars are more reliable than ever before, buying a used car makes a lot of sense. Cars up to five or six years of age are often the best values. Not only are their prices far less than a comparable new car (values depreciate the quickest in the first four years), ownership expenses such as taxes and insurance are often much lower. Many used cars will also remain dependable for many years to come, making them a shrewd financial decision. If you are thinking about buying a used car, we recommend referring to J.D. Power & Associates’ list of vehicles rated highly for dependability. You should also refer to Edmunds.com’s Consumer Ratings and Reviews to read about other owners’ personal experiences with their vehicles. Even with all this good news, there are still many perils when buying a used car, and if you don’t know how to spot them, you can end up paying thousands of dollars more than you should or even losing the car. Here are eight tricks used-car dealers use to rip you off."