Warpaint

What You Need to Know

• To Protect Yourself

• To Protect your Family

• To Protect your Livestock

    Due to our New War on Terror, and the fact that all of us are at some risk, and concerned about that, I decided to place the "Warpaint" site with "The Magic of Horses" . The knowledge I have written up on Warpaint offers you 3, very important, types of Information.

    The first of these is the Truth about Bio/Chem Warfare and how you can, practically, protect yourselves, your Families, and your Horses from such attacks. The basis for what I have to say comes from my Military Experience as a Trained "Disaster Control Co-ordinator", under the auspices of the Disaster Recovery Training Command of the U.S. Navy.  In addition to, and because of that Training, I worked with the Office of Civil Defense for 8 years when I again became a civilian, until CD was disbanded, as a volunteer in my own Community.

    The second of these is what you need to do to Prepare in the way of knowledge and 'tools' for your Family, and your Farm.

    The third is an understanding of our Enemy, and how your own Preparations and Awareness can play a very great role in defeating that Enemy.

To Protect Yourself

I was in the process of writing up the Text for this section when I recieved an E-Mail forwarded to me by a Friend.  Contained within it was the message you will, hopefully, read below. This message, tho "long" , is very complete and every word of it is Fact. I could not have done a better job of transmitting this information than has
Sergeant First Class , Red Thomas, Master Armor Gunner (Ret). Pay attention to what he has said. I have only added a small amount of Information concerning Anthrax and other Bio Agents  underneath Red's wise words. I suggest that you duplicate what Red has said, and what I have said, and pass it to your computer-less friends and neighbors.

Words of Wisdom From An Armor Master

  Since the media has decided to scare everyone with predictions of chemical, biological, or nuclear warfare on our turf I decided to write a paper and keep things in their proper perspective. I am a retired military weapons, munitions, and training expert.

  This is far less scary than the media and their "Experts," make it sound. Chemical weapons are categorized as Nerve, Blood, Blister, and Incapacitating agents Contrary to the hype of reporters and politicians they are not weapons of mass destruction they are "Area denial," and terror weapons that don't destroy anything. When you leave the area you almost always leave the risk. That's the difference; you can leave the area and the risk; soldiers may have to stay put and sit through it and that's why they need all that spiffy gear.

  These are not gasses, they are vapors and/or air borne particles. The agent must be delivered in sufficient quantity to kill/injure, and that defines when/how it's used. Every day we have a morning and evening inversion where "stuff," suspended in the air gets pushed down. This inversion is why allergies (pollen) and air pollution are worst at these times of the day. So, a chemical attack will have it's best effect an hour or so either side of sunrise/sunset. Also, being vapors and airborne particles they are heavier than air so they will seek low places like ditches, basements and underground garages. This stuff won't work when it's freezing, it doesn't last when it's hot, and wind spreads it too thin too fast. They've got to get this stuff on you, or, get you to inhale it for it to work. They also have to get the concentration of chemicals high enough to kill or wound you. Too little and it's nothing, too much and it's wasted.
  What I hope you've gathered by this point is that a chemical weapons attack that kills a lot of people is incredibly hard to do with military grade agents and equipment so you can imagine how hard it will be for terrorists. The more you know about this stuff the more you realize how hard it is to use.

  We'll start by talking about nerve agents. You have these in your house, plain old bug killer (like Raid) is nerve agent. All nerve agents work the same way; they are cholinesterase inhibitors that mess up the signals your nervous system uses to make your body function. It can harm you if you get it on your skin but it works best if they can get you to inhale it. If you don't die in the first minute and you can leave the area you're probably gonna live. The military's antidote for all nerve agents is atropine and pralidoxime chloride. Neither one of these does anything to cure the nerve agent, they send your body into overdrive to keep you alive for five minutes, after that the agent is used up. Your best protection is fresh air and staying calm. Listed below are the symptoms for nerve agent poisoning.

   Sudden headache, Dimness of vision (someone you're looking at will have pinpointed pupils), Runny nose, Excessive saliva or drooling, Difficulty breathing, Tightness in chest, Nausea, Stomach cramps, Twitching of exposed skin where a liquid just got on you.

   If you are in public and you start experiencing these symptoms, first ask yourself, did anything out of the ordinary just happen, a loud pop, did someone spray something on the crowd?

  Are other people getting sick too? Is there an odor of new mown hay, green corn, something fruity, or camphor where it shouldn't be?

  If the answer is yes, then calmly (if you panic you breathe faster and inhale more air/poison) leave the area and head up wind, or, outside. Fresh air is the best "right now antidote." If you have a blob of liquid that looks like molasses or Karo syrup on you; blot it or scrape it off and away from yourself with anything disposable. This stuff works based on your body weight, what a crop duster uses to kill bugs won't hurt you unless you stand there and breathe it in real deep, then lick the residue off the ground for while. Remember they have to do all the work, they have to get the concentration up and keep it up for several minutes while all you have to do is quit getting it on you/quit breathing it by putting space between you and the attack.

  Blood agents are cyanide or arsine which effect your blood's ability to provide oxygen to your tissue. The scenario for attack would be the same as nerve agent. Look for a pop or someone splashing/spraying something and folks around there getting woozy/falling down. The telltale smells are bitter almonds or garlic where it shouldn't be. The symptoms are blue lips, blue under the fingernails rapid breathing. The military's antidote is amyl nitride and just like nerve agent antidote it just keeps your body working for five minutes till the toxins are used up. Fresh air is the your best individual chance.

  Blister agents (distilled mustard) are so nasty that nobody wants to even handle it let alone use it. It's almost impossible to handle safely and may have delayed effect of up to 12 hours. The attack scenario is also limited to the things you'd see from other chemicals. If you do get large, painful blisters for no apparent reason, don't pop them, if you must, don't let the liquid from the blister get on any other area, the stuff just keeps on spreading. It's just as likely to harm the user as the target. Soap, water, sunshine, and fresh air are this stuff's enemy.

  Bottom line on chemical weapons (it's the same if they use industrial chemical spills); they are intended to make you panic, to terrorize you, to heard you like sheep to the wolves. If there is an attack, leave the area and go upwind, or to the sides of the wind stream. They have to get the stuff to you, and on you. You're more likely to be hurt by a drunk driver on any given day than be hurt by one of these attacks. Your odds get better if you leave the area. Soap, water, time, and fresh air really deal this stuff a knock-out-punch. Don't let fear of an isolated attack rule your life.The odds are really on your side.

  Nuclear bombs. These are the only weapons of mass destruction on earth. The effects of a nuclear bomb are heat, blast, EMP, and radiation. If you see a bright flash of light like the sun, where the sun isn't, fall to the ground! The heat will be over a second. Then there will be two blast waves, one out going, and one on it's way back. Don't stand up to see what happened after the first wave; anything that's going to happen will have happened in two full minutes.
  These will be low yield devices and will not level whole cities. If you live through the heat, blast, and initial burst of radiation, you'll probably live for a very very long time. Radiation will not create fifty foot tall women, or giant ants and grass hoppers the size of tanks. These will be at the most 1 kiloton bombs; that's the equivalent of 1,000 tons of TNT. Here's the real deal, flying debris and radiation will kill a lot of exposed (not all)! people within a half mile of the blast. Under perfect conditions this is about a half mile circle of death and destruction, but,when it's done it's done. EMP stands for Electro Magnetic Pulse and it will fry every electronic device for a good distance, it's impossible to say what and how far but probably not over a couple of miles from ground zero is a good guess. Cars, cell phones, computers, ATMs, you name it, all will be out of order. There are lots of kinds of radiation, you only need to worry about three, the others you have lived with for years. You need to worry about "Ionizing radiation," these are little sub atomic particles that go whizzing along at the speed of light. They hit individual cells in your body, kill the nucleus and keep on going. That's how you get radiation poisoning, you have so many dead cells in your body that the decaying cells poison you. It's the same as people getting radiation treatments for cancer, only a bigger area gets radiated. The good news is you don't have to just sit there and take it, and there's lots you can do rather than panic. First; your skin will stop alpha particles, a page of a news paper or your clothing will stop beta particles, you just gotta try and avoid inhaling dust that's contaminated with atoms that are emitting these things and you'll be generally safe from them.

   Gamma rays are particles that travel like rays (quantum physics makes my brain hurt) and they create the same damage as alpha and beta particles only they keep going and kill lots of cells as they go all the way through your body. It takes a lot to stop these things, lots of dense material, on the other hand it takes a lot of this to kill you. Your defense is as always to not panic. Basic hygiene and normal preparation are your friends.

  All canned or frozen food is safe to eat. The radiation poisoning will not effect plants so fruits and vegetables are OK if there's no dust on em (rinse em off if there is). If you don't have running water and you need to collect rain water or use water from wherever, just let it sit for thirty minutes and skim off the water gently from the top. The dust with the bad stuff in it will settle and the remaining water can be used for the toilet which will still work if you have a bucket of water to pour in the tank.

  Finally there's biological warfare. There's not much to cover here. Basic personal hygiene and sanitation will take you further than a million doctors. Wash your hands often, don't share drinks, food, sloppy kisses, etc., ... with strangers. Keep your garbage can with a tight lid on it, don't have standing water (like old buckets, ditches, or kiddy pools) laying around to allow mosquitoes breeding room. This stuff is carried by vectors, that is bugs, rodents, and contaminated material. If biological warfare is as easy as the TV makes it sound, why has Saddam Hussein spent twenty years, millions, and millions of dollars trying to get it right? If you're clean of person and home you eat well and are active you're gonna live.

  Overall preparation for any terrorist attack is the same as you'd take for a big storm. If you want a gas mask, fine, go get one. I know this stuff and I'm not getting one and I told my Mom not to bother with one either (how's that for confidence). We have a week's worth of cash, several days worth of canned goods and plenty of soap and water. We don't leave stuff out to attract bugs or rodents so we don't have them.

These people can't conceive a nation this big with this much resources.

* SFC Red Thomas
Armor Master Gunner(Ret)
Mesa, AZ

   ** Reproduction and distribution is authorized and encouraged. Just give me credit for my work.**

About Anthrax and Bio-War

   First, you need NOT be afraid of Anthrax. Regardless of what you hear on the News Media concerning Anthrax as "the #1 Bio-warfare Agent", understand that the 'experts' saying this are speaking of "Weaponized" material, which we have seen NONE of (as yet)  in these cases, and from an Aspect of Worst-case Scenarios. The Weaponization and Attack Distribution of microbes is a completely technical and extreemly difficult process which requires highly specialized knowledge and millions of dollars worth of highly specialized equipment. All of the technical stuff is required to both reduce Anthrax spores to a partical size no greater than 5 microns and suspend these particals in a substrate which can be readily distributed in Air in such a way as to cover the widest possible area. Complete Weaponization also requires Genetic Engineering to make strains more virulent and less suceptable to anti-biotics. The state of   Pharmaceutical Science in 2001 has made that task far more difficult for Bacterial Agents such as Anthrax, as the rapid developement of new and better anti-biotics makes it ever more difficult for bio-weapons developers to determine what to make their respective bacteria resistant to ! Understand that the paradigm which flows through this process is the "kill your enemies without killing yourself".
   Though the Media will fill your screen with the word "Anthrax" every hour of every day until they wear it completely out, understand that the Terrorists have a very limited means of delivery for Bio Agents and Chemical Vapors. What that boils down to is very limited, consentrated attacks with these substances on small areas. The statistics are on your side and your very best defense is to be ALERT, be AWARE, and STAY INFORMED.

  Anthrax, in the Free World, is a natural component of the Environment and it is a disease more common in Cloven Hoof  Livestock. Some, few, equine deaths have been reported from Anthrax in the State of Texas this year. The States of Texas and Oklahoma have outbreaks of Anthrax, from vectors in the Natural Environment every year, which affect Deer populations and Cattle. UNDERSTAND, you, your Family, and your Horses are at a far greater risk of contracting Anthrax from Imported Tack than from Terrorist attacks. Cutanious Anthrax has been contracted, and source-identified, from Goat Wool Saddle Blankets and Pads, and Saddle padding, all imported from India. Be careful what you buy in the way of tack. You are at more risk from that source than from bin Laden!!

  PLEASE understand that there is really no reason to Panic. To do so is to give bin Laden and the Al-Qaeda exactly what they want. The Reality is that, of all of the Human Cases of simple
exposure and the 6 or so cases of actual contraction represent only about 43/283,000,000ths of the population of this country. Don't buy in to the Media Hype of blowing this thing up bigger than it actually is. Put it into perspective, and understand that you are in far more danger from driving your car to the store than you are from any terrorist activity.

  Lastly, Prepare Yourself , your Family, and your Horses. Here 's how:

  Purchase a two-week supply of non-perishable food, including Bottled Water ,and enough waterproof containers to keep that in. Keep that in the basement if you have one, and readily accessable if you don't.

  Don't forget to include "emergency supplies" such as a well-equiped First Aid Kit ( don't forget Horse things), Flashlights, Batteries, a Prortable Radio, ( idealy solar/dynamo/battery/AC power with short-wave frequencies like the one I have). Included in my own "Emergency Kit" is a Coleman Lantern, two Kerosene Lanterns, 15 gal. of Kerosene, 2 gals. of Coleman Fuel, a Coleman stove, and a 20,000 btu Kerosun heater. I also have a Jerry can with 5 gals of gasoline in it for the ATC. Horse-feed is there, too. A two week supply of Grain. Alpha-bits and Beet Pulp. We also keep 6- 55 gal. plastic lined, steel Molasses drums full of fresh water for the Horses. That gets changed every 2 weeks.
  UNDERSTAND-- this supply and Kit of "things" is a Standard for us-- nothing new. We live in Hurricane Country, and in an area where we have Ice storms in Winter and Severe Weather in summer. Such a Kit prepares us for bad weather, and has served us well. Terrorism is less of a Risk than Bad Weather, but the same kit serves both purposes.

  Above all else, Support Pres. Bush and your State and Local Governments. Fly your Flag. Don't Panic. Don't put your Lives on Hold. Be Aware of your Environment and Listen to the advice of those of us who have Been There and Done That. Credentials come in different ways--either Phd's and BS degrees-- or from the Experience of those of us who were charged with the responsibility of both making this kind of Warfare against an Enemy, and Defending America against such attacks. In this case, News Media are not the best sources of practical Information.
  Like it or not--and I don't-- we are at War. In this War, we, as Citizens, are at greater risk. That is Reality. That Risk has always been here; Life guarantees nothing and never has. No Government can Guarantee our absolute safety, whether we are at War or not, and have never been able to do that. To even ask them to is rediculous. Our best Weapon against Terrorists is our Increased Awareness coupled with our Taking of our Right to Live Freely as a Free People-- with Awareness-- but WITHOUT FEAR. Remember the old saying, " The best Revenge is Living Well". Remember, this War will not last forever--and neither will Al Qaeda and Osama bin Laden.

ATROPINE

   WARNING --Atropine is a very powerful synthetic formulation of a chemical found in the plant Deadly Nightshade. Use of this powerful stimulant for any other than to combat Nerve Agents will produce Anaphylactic Shock and can cause Death. DO NOT run to your Doctor asking for an amp of this drug. To put it bluntly Atropine, in the necessary dosage to combat the effects of Nerve Agents, is a Poison used as an antidote to a Poison. Using that dosage without exposure to Nerve Agents  and/or neurological poisons can definately result in death. The only use I know about for Atropine other than as an antidote,  is in opthalmic ointments (topicals) used for certain eye injuries and infections in Horses.

Veterinary Report - Anthrax in Cattle and Horses

Anthrax
Veterinary Services
October 2001

  Anthrax, a disease of mammals and humans, is caused by a spore-forming bacterium called Bacillus anthracis. Anthrax has an almost worldwide distribution and is a zoonotic disease, meaning it may spread from animals to humans. All mammals appear to be susceptible to anthrax to some degree, but ruminants such as cattle, sheep, and goats are the most susceptible and commonly affected, followed by horses, and then swine.

  The U.S. Department of Agricultures main diagnostics laboratory in Ames, Iowa, the National Veterinary Services Laboratories, maintains small quantities of anthrax to use as reference material in making confirmatory anthrax diagnoses in animals. USDAs Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service maintains that laboratory as part of fulfilling its mission to protect American agriculture.

Disease Epidemiology

  Anthrax is endemic to the United States, occurring sporadically throughout the country as environmental conditions allow. The Del Rio, Texas, region has reported ongoing outbreaks of anthrax in deer and livestock this summer. The most recent outbreak there occurred on September 21, 2001. Other recent outbreaks include an outbreak in cattle and horses in Minnesota in June-July 2000; in cattle, horses, and bison in North Dakota in August 2000; and in cattle in Nebraska in January 2001.

  During their vegetative stage, cells of the anthrax agent multiply in the lymph nodes of susceptible animals, including humans. When cells of B. anthracis escape from the animals body and are exposed to oxygen, they form spores. These spores are highly resistant to heat, cold, chemical disinfectants, and long dry periods. B. anthracis spores are reported to survive for years in the environment. Environmental persistence may be related to a number of factors, including high levels of soil nitrogen and organic content, alkaline soil (a pH level higher than 6.0), and ambient temperatures higher than 60 degrees Fahrenheit.

  Although rare, it is possible for animals to inhale dust harboring anthrax spores. Bites from flies and other insects that may harbor vegetative anthrax have also been reported to be vehicles for mechanical transmission.

Clinical Signs

Disease occurs when spores enter the body, germinate, multiply, and release toxins. The incubation period of natural infection in animals is typically 3 to 7 days with a range of 1 to 14 days, or more.

In cattle and sheep, the course of illness may last about 1 to 2 hours. Clinical signs, such as fever up to 107 degrees Fahrenheit, muscle tremors, respiratory distress, and convulsions, often go unnoticed. After death, there may be bloody discharges from the natural openings of the body, rapid bloating, a lack of rigor mortis, and the presence of unclotted blood. This failure of blood to clot is due to a toxin released by B. anthracis.

  Anthrax in horses and related animals is acute and can last up to 96 hours. Clinical manifestations depend upon how the infection occurred. If due to ingestion of spores, as in cattle, septicemia, fever, colic, and enteritis are prominent. Anthrax due to insect bite introduction (mechanical transmission) is characterized by localized hot, painful, edematous, and subcutaneous swellings at the bite location that spread to the throat, lower neck, floor of the thorax, abdomen, prepuce, and mammary glands. These horses may have a high fever and dyspnea due to swelling of the throat or colic due to intestinal involvement.

  Swine, dogs, and cats usually show a characteristic swelling of the neck secondary to regional lymph node involvement, which causes dysphagia and dyspnea following ingestion of the bacteria. An intestinal form of anthrax with severe enteritis sometimes occurs in these species. Many carnivores apparently have a natural resistance, and recovery is not uncommon.

  I hope this information helps you to loose the Fear, and supplies you with some good information and advice. Let me add that I don't care what your Beliefs are, but use any privileges they may provide towards Prayer. Prayer is a Power, and to Pray in Unity of Mind with Millions is a Power that cannot be stopped. I ask you to Pray for Peace, and Pray for Islam that the Muslim Path will not be tainted by False Profits like bin Laden, who would turn a Peaceful and Tolerant Way to his own agendas and selfish ends. This we all can, and should, do.

God, Bless America !

Ed Littlefox, WO3, USN(HD)

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