Month: June 2013

Note from JWR:

Today we present another entry for Round 47 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include: First Prize: A.) Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate, good for any one, two, or three course. (A $1,195 value.) B.) 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 C.) Two cases of Mountain House freeze dried assorted entrees in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources. (A $350 value.) D.) a $300 …


The K-9 Question, by L.D.

We won’t be talking about the family dog here. The family dog, to most households is quite often an undisputed, full-fledged member of the family.  In some cases “Fufu” or “Spot” is treated better than some family members. Those privileged pooches will, of course, figure into these family’s doomsday scenarios and allowances will, undoubtedly, be provided for the little darlings.                                                                                    In this article we will be discussing working dogs.  It is some Preppers’ misguided belief that acquiring a big, mean, muscle-bound ball of fur with flashing yellow teeth, straining at the end of a chain, could be an advantage …


Letter Re: Observations on the Alberta Province Floods

Mr Rawles, You may already be aware of the devastating floods Alberta has experienced in the past 10 days, with some areas receiving up to an amazing 8-11 inches of rain and over 100,000 people evacuated.  The flood has washed out dozens of highways and bridges, stranded campers in the Rocky Mountains, and saw lions from the zoo moved to city jail cells.  The hippos almost escaped into the river.  In even more worrying news, police have confiscated firearms from flooded residences ‘for safekeeping’ much to the outrage of the citizens.  [JWR Adds: It is noteworthy that with Canada’s system of gun …


Letter Re: Relocating and Transport of Firearms and Ammo

Sir: Your reader who wrote regarding “relocating & transport of firearms and ammo” from New Hampshire to South Carolina is trapped. There’s no way out of New Hampshire without going through New York, Massachusetts, or New Jersey. I’m sure readers in those states will have more info, but I’d suggest avoiding New Jersey at all costs. Massachusetts, despite its strong restrictions, may be the least onerous of the three; New York has a state law stipulating possession of five or more handguns is prima facie evidence of felony gun trafficking, New Jersey prohibits possession of hollow point ammunition (in any …


Economics and Investing:

Supply Policies Prevent Hydropower from Fulfilling its Potential Treasury Auction Bids Drop To Weakest Since 2009 As Yields Rise   Items from The Economatrix: As Demand In The Global Economy Weakens, American Multi-Nationals Feel The Pain John Galt: The End of Global Banking or Worse? Cash Is Tight:  Six More US Muni Bond Sales Postponed


Odds ‘n Sods:

Freeze Dry Guy is running a 25% Off Special All Mountain House #10 Cans. The sale ends on July 1st, so order soon!    o o o Top 10 Tools for Centerfire Rifle Disassembly. (Thanks to F.G. for the link.)    o o os G.G. flagged this: ‘Hell to pay:’ Residents angry as RCMP seize guns from High River homes    o o o P.D. liked this piece at Wired about the NSA’s capabilities: The Secret War.    o o o J. McC. sent news of another scandal that echoes the recent IRS revelations: New EPA Leak Farmers’ Info Given …


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

“And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed [be ye] poor: for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed [are ye] that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed [are ye] that weep now: for ye shall laugh. Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you [from their company], and shall reproach [you], and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake. Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward [is] great in heaven: for in the like manner did …



What is Money When the System Collapses?, by Mac Slavo

What is money? Economist Mike Shedlock defines money through the eyes of Austrian economist Murray N. Rothbard as “a commodity used as a medium of exchange.” “Like all commodities, it has an existing stock, it faces demands by people to buy and hold it. Like all commodities, its price in terms of other goods is determined by the interaction of its total supply, or stock, and the total demand by people to buy and hold it. People buy money by selling their goods and services for it, just as they sell money when they buy goods and services.” What is …


Letter Re: Relocating and Transport of Firearms and Ammo

Jim, I have a question that maybe you or the readers and contributors of Survivalblog can help on: Relocation of residence from one State to another (for example in my case – from New Hampshire to South Carolina) – and transport of ammunition and smokeless reloading powder and primers. The commercial Moving Companies, or using the “PODS” self-packed units all seem to prohibit their transporting any “Hazardous” materials such as reloading powder and primers, and Ammunition. My Question is in regards to the best way to get a somewhat substantial collection and accumulation  of Ammunition moved InterState ?  We’re probably …


Economics and Investing:

Reader M.M. liked this piece at Zero Hedge: The Biggest Ponzi Scheme in the History of the World Jerry E. sent a link to an interview with Max Keiser, where he posits an overnight five to six percent jump in interest rates, and talks about the Edward Snowden situation. Andre D. spotted this: Italy could need EU rescue within six months, warns Mediobanca Jim Rogers: “This Is Too Insane–And I’m Afraid We’re All Going To Suffer For The Rest Of This Decade“ Items from The Economatrix: Ben Bernanke’s Real Message For Gold Investors, Translated By John Williams Dr. Paul Craig …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Of interest to those who read French, here is an article on the American survivalist movement ran in the Swiss newspaper Le Temps: Aux Etats-Unis, ils sont de plus en plus nombreux à attendre l’apocalypse. Fittingly, the piece ends with an homage to the Swiss tradition of preparedness, and compares it to The American Redoubt concept: “L’inspiration principale des survivalistes se trouve pourtant de l’autre côté de l’Atlantique. Tous décrivent la Suisse comme une sorte de paradis du prepper. «Avec vos abris atomiques, votre armée de milice et votre politique du réduit national, vous êtes les mieux placés pour survivre …



Notes from JWR:

Today marks the birthday of John Wesley in 1703. He died March 2, 1791. Although the name Wesley given to my great uncle with him in mind (and then passed down to me), as a five point Calvinist I don’t consider myself to be in doctrinal agreement with John Wesley.   Freeze Dry Guy just started a 25% Off Special All Mountain House #10 Cans. Get your order in soon. They’ve also launched a handy new Marketing Portal.   — Today we present a guest article by Orange Jeep Dad, a fellow blogger who recently made the move to the …


How to Decide on a Homestead Location and Get There, by Orange Jeep Dad

The intention of this article is to share with you how we decided on a homestead location and how we intend to get there. There are many ways to skin a cat. Whether it’s a hidey-hole in Id-e-ho or a farm in Oklahoma, the choice you pick for a homestead is as uniquely independent as the DNA in your body. Take the time to think it through and you won’t be disappointed. We said several prayers and asked for guidance. Contact Todd Savage of Survival Retreat Consulting if you still need additional help after reading this submission. I’m sure he …