Year: 2011

Sign-Cutting and OPSEC, by Infidel

In my line of work, if you are tracking someone, you are always behind them.  The only way to catch them is to run and that creates it’s own set of dangers.   Sign-cutting is finding a track or “sign”, using human nature, the terrain and the environment to get ahead of the people you are tracking and waiting for them.  It is about being students of terrain, the environment you are in, and human nature.   Let me break this down for you:   Human Nature – Most people will not walk a strenuous path.  They will follow fence-lines, …


Letter Re: Harry Figgie Was Right — Just Very Early

Mr. Rawles,   I pulled out my copy of Bankruptcy 1995: The Coming Collapse of America and How to Stop It by Harry E. Figgie, Jr. and discovered on pp. 85-87 three warning signs that the US is headed for what Mr. Figgie calls a “deep, deep depression.” They are:    Tax revenue is no longer sufficient to service the debt;    Substantial government debt is purchased by the Federal Reserve; and    Congress and the administration not only fail to address mounting deficits but make the situation worse.   The book is copyrighted 1992. It would appear Mr. Figgie …


Economics and Investing:

I’m sure you’ve noticed that US Dollar Index is down to 74.4, spot gold is up to $1,507 per ounce, and spot silver is at $45.89. As I’ve been warning you since September of 2005: Get out of U.S. Dollars and into useful tangibles! If you feel that you’ve missed the boat on precious metals, then buy guns and common caliber ammunition while they are still affordable. I suspect that they won’t be affordable (in U.S. Dollar terms) in a couple of years. Also, be forewarned: The COMEX Governors are soon likely to slam on the brakes on the precious …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Michael Z. Williamson (SurvivalBlog’s Editor at Large) sent this: Stuff To Consider When Planning For SHTF Scenarios.    o o o Reader F.G. suggested this: Earth Class Mail – Best Mail Forwarding Service So Get A Ghost Address    o o o Dan S. recommend this article: Banning Guns by Changing Definitions, Part 4    o o o For those of you who are news junkies, bookmark this one: The InnoPlexION    o o o When the drug you need to cure a cancer is nowhere to be found. (Thanks to F.D. for the link.)



Note from JWR:

Today we present another two entries for Round 34 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include: First Prize: A.) A course certificate from onPoint Tactical. This certificate will be for the prize winner’s choice of three-day civilian courses. (Excluding those restricted for military or government teams.) Three day onPoint courses normally cost $795, and B.) Two cases of Alpine Aire freeze dried assorted entrees in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources. (A $400 value.) C.) A 9-Tray Excalibur Food Dehydrator from Safecastle.com (a $275 value), D.) A $250 gift certificate from Sunflower Ammo , …


The Power of Three, by Jerry S.

Since we have all been reminded of the principle the “two is one and one is none”, it brings me to the conclusion that being prepared is really about “having a backup for your backup”.  So if “two is one”, then “three must be two”.  That has led me on a quest to discover at a minimum, three different ways to approach the problems we’ll face in a disaster situation.  If you are new to prepping or just want a different perspective of looking at things, maybe this will help.  To get us started, the first thing you should be …


A Guide for the Herbal Medicine Closet, by Heather F.

So you stock up on a year’s supply of medications. What then? There comes a tremendous sense of confidence when you know how to find and grow your own “medicines”. I have to begin with my very favorite herb and actually most common “weed”; though, weed is a dirty word in my vocabulary! You will find that most of the plants we consider nuisances are some of the most beneficial herbs for healing. This article has an emphasis on herbs for respiratory ailments. Herbs You Can Find Growing Wild: Plantain can be found virtually anywhere in the United States and …


The American Redoubt Proposal — Criticism, as Expected

For those that have requested it, I turned my American Redoubt post into a static page. I also added a map to illustrate the concept. To answer some of the critics who have recently bashed me at a survival forum, I added an important point of clarification: I do not, nor have I ever advocated asking anyone already living here in the Redoubt States to leave, nor would I deny anyone’s right to move here, regardless of their faith, (or lack thereof). I forgive the people that try to put words into my mouth, or dream up nonexistent sub-texts, or …


Letter Re: The Importance of Acquiring First Aid Supplies in Depth

James: Tom L. points out that it took a while to find steri-strips and latex gloves needed to treat a wound so not to cause an infection. I would have to indicate that [bulk-packaged] latex gloves that you find in Wal-Mart or Walgreens are not sterile gloves. They are gloves that protect the wearer, not the one being treated though they are cleaner than bare hands. Proper washing of the wound with sterile saline water would be the best procedure and use the steri-strips for the closure under such late night conditions. Truly sterile gloves that surgeons use are individually …


Letter Re: Buying Stock in Apple (Not the Corporation)

JWR: A few things to take into account when thinking of apple trees.  I planted three trees about five years ago and they are still far from being fruit bearing.  I figure they have about five years more before they are capable of bearing fruit.  This isn’t to say that you shouldn’t use them, but its defiantly a plan ahead thing.   Another thing to take into account is that they require a bit of yearly maintenance to keep them bearing decent sized fruit.  An un-pruned tree bears a fruit that is about three fingers wide.  A properly pruned tree …


Economics and Investing:

The convenient fiction that the U.S. is worthy of a “AAA” credit rating continues: S&P Cuts U.S. Ratings Outlook to Negative. How long can Uncle Sam dog-paddle in a sea of red ink? (Thanks to M.E.W. and several other readers for the link.) Deborah B. sent this: U.S. Taxpayers on the Hook for Portugal Bailout Items from The Economatrix: Builder Outlook Falls Ahead of Spring Season Poll:  US Economy Improving Despite Global Events. (If they sprinkle around enough hundreds of billions in quantitative easing funny money, it has to have some impact on the economy…) temporarily.) Morgan Stanley Defaulted On …


Odds ‘n Sods:

There is an excellent new blog that I can recommend called the Preparedness Advice blog. It is chockfull of useful information. Unlike so many other blogs that are long on diatribes and short on practical skills, the Preparedness Advice blog is full of clear, concise, level-headed advice. This one has been added to my blog roll.    o o o Reader K.A.F. sent this: Video: Atlas is shrugging already    o o o Michael Z. Williamson (SurvivalBlog’s Editor at Large) spotted this: Georgian woman cuts off web access to whole of Armenia: Entire country loses internet for five hours after …



Notes from JWR:

There a have been several new property listings added at our spin-off web site, SurvivalRealty.com A few of them are truly exceptional off-grid properties. Please take a few minutes to see the new listings. — Today we present another two entries for Round 34 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include: First Prize: A.) A course certificate from onPoint Tactical. This certificate will be for the prize winner’s choice of three-day civilian courses. (Excluding those restricted for military or government teams.) Three day onPoint courses normally cost $795, and B.) Two cases of Alpine Aire …