“When watching men of power in action it must be always kept in mind that, whether they know it or not, their main purpose is the elimination or neutralization of the independent individual — the independent voter, consumer, worker, owner, thinker — and that every device they employ aims at turning man into a manipulatable “animated instrument,” which is Aristotle’s definition of a slave.” – Eric Hoffer, The Ordeal of Change (1963)
I just heard that Paul Harvey passed away. He was a fine, patriotic American. Appropriately, two of today’s blog posts deal with “The Rest of the Story.” Someday, we’ll meet Paul in heaven. And also Paul, formerly Saul of Tarsus. — The high bid in the SurvivalBlog Benefit Auction is now at $935. This auction is for a large mixed lot, which includes:: 1.) Another “be ready to barter” box of 38 full-capacity gun magazines, from my personal collection in JASBORR. This box includes: 4 – Used original East German 30 rd. steel AK-47 magazines in a “raindrop” camouflage pattern …
When Christians talk of self-defense and their reaction to violence in general, they frequently speak of turning the other cheek. While I would not attempt to dissuade someone from that point of view I have always been against that type of pacifism in the face of violence – particularly in the case of deadly violence. In the extreme example of self-defense against someone who wants to kill you – people who advocate turning the other cheek advocate throwing away God’s gift of life or worse yet not defending those you love when their lives are threatened. That I could not …
Mr. Rawles, I just wanted to drop you a line and tell you I enjoy your blog daily and have read it almost from the start. I am currently in Iraq a little North of Joint Base Balad. On the local economy the Iraqi Dinar is 1000 dinars to 1 American dollar. However, the past few months if you want to pay with American dollars in the local economy, they are discounting it by 66%. What 1000 dinars buys, 1 dollar used to buy. Now it cost 3 dollars. At the local Iraqi police academy there is a stall that …
Mr. Rawles: I, as well as possibly tens of thousands of my fellow Americans, are extremely fearful that the United States Government is slowly becoming like the former Soviet Union and that the day will come when the citizenry is in serious trouble. I continue to prepare as best I can for my family in the event it all comes crashing down but I cannot see where I will prevail long against American soldiers, police, and gangs that might try to harm me and my family. I am further afraid because I do not know Jesus Christ as my Savior …
Reader HPD recommended this: Why the U.S. Government Should be Cut Off Like a Subprime Borrower HPD also sent this bit of news, which comes as no great surprise: AIG Breakup Likely. Al H. said that he liked this Business Week interview: Jim Rogers Doesn’t Mince Words About the Crisis Items from The Economatrix: Fear of Global Depression Up as US Reveals True Extent of Decline Fresh Evidence Points to Paralysis of Global Economy 750,000 jobs were lost in US in February, worse to come Iran Threatened with Economic Meltdown Buffett: Economy Will Be in Shambles in 2009 Wall Street …
Reader Bill N. asks: “Did you ever wonder what those markings spray-painted on doors by FEMA in New Orleans meant?” This PDF shows the codes. o o o BRB and Jim E. both mentioned a design for a ram (water-powered) water pump, over at the Instructables site. o o o Reader FS had this comment on the Obama administration’s call to renew the 1994 gun and magazine ban: “So let’s see if I understand this. Because Mexico can’t keep it together, American’s must disarm. If anything, having a violent and unstable neighbor is reason for our citizens to …
"If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." – 2 Chronicles 7:14 (KJV)
I recently updated the web page for my novel “Patriots“, with information on the new edition that will be released in April. The old edition from XLibris just went out of print. — Today we present another entry for Round 21 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The contest prizes include: First Prize: Two transferable Front Sight “Gray” Four Day Training Course Certificates. This is an up to $4,000 value! Second Prize: A three day course certificate from OnPoint Tactical. This certificate will be for the prize winner’s choice of three-day civilian courses. Third Prize: A copy of my “Rawles …
In these trying times when civilizations are at the brink of disaster and many people are already in personal collapse, we should look back through history to find out how to salvage what we have and how to survive what is to come. [Minor rant snipped.] It seems that economic collapse is imminent and that at some point in the near future it is going to be every man for himself. As we watch countries collapse, global economies fail and people across the world starve and die, I ask myself has any culture or civilization in history gotten it right? …
Dear Mr. Rawles, I have been reading your site for almost a year now and am grateful for your advise. I’ve read both Patriots and Retreats. Currently, I live in suburban Detroit and am looking for a farm out in the country. I’m good on food and many other items, but question my weapons battery. BTW, both my wife and I have attended the excellent training at Front Sight. Currently I have three handguns: an XDM-40 with four mags, Steyr M40 with four mags and a Taurus PT92 9mm with two mags. My long guns include two short-barrel 12 gauge …
JWR: I saw the article on how Cabela’s shares surged based on gun sales. Let me tell you, we are in the midst of a feeding frenzy here in Colorado. First, its not just guns, its all of the accessories as well. I had to return some items from Christmas to Sportsman’s Warehouse and found that the whole gun department was basically empty. They only had some black powder firearms and a couple of shotguns. Nothing else. I had run into this before Christmas when I bought my two oldest boys new elk rifles – and got the last .308 …
G.G. flagged this: Silver outshines gold for investors. “Sales of silver American Eagle coins have reached just over four million ounces so far in 2009, almost double the rate of last year, when sales reached 19.6 million ounces for the full year.” Pat M. forwarded this Reuters news video: Hard Times Push Brits to Bartering Frequent contributor Bill N. recommended this commentary by Paul Craig Roberts: How the US Economy Was Lost. Items from The Economatrix: Watch Now as Pension Funds Get Vaporized Ron Paul: This is an End of an Era…We Can’t Reinflate the Bubble Boomers: 30% Underwater Weak …
CIA and Pentagon Wonder: Could Mexico Implode? (A hat tip to Darin B. for the link.) o o o MP sent this: Recipes from The Great Depression. o o o Cheryl sent this: EMP Attack: Overlooked Catastrophe o o o Mrs. G. in Montana found a site that he thought would be of interest to the ladies: The Homemaker’s Mentor. She notes: “I was looking for directions for dehydrating eggs and found a forum for a group of women who are striving for prepare for their families. Oh and speaking of the distaff viewpoint, also check out …
“It’s time [for the Federal government] to stop bribing me with my own money.” – Rep. Dan Itse of New Hampshire, author of New Hampshire’s sadly moribund state sovereignty bill, HR 645.