Month: July 2014

Letter Re: To Use Body Armor or Not

My sincerest condolences to the author. It’s always tragic to lose one of our own, especially as young as his father was at 42. Concerning the author’s questions, his Dad was wise on the policy of armor usage in a given AO. My personal combat experience, and lessons learned from others have taught me the following: Armor is a great tool, and only plated armor (lvl IV) counts when you have rifles pointed your way. Getting shot with armor/plates suck. There’s a lot of kinetic energy getting transferred from the bullet, to your armor, then to the sack of meat …


News From The American Redoubt:

Wyoming: Common Core opponents say states’ repeal boosts momentum o o o Lightning strike kills 4 cows, calf in Northern Idaho o o o Hiker Shoots Bear Near Mount Brown in Glacier Park JWR Adds: Statistically, pepper spray is more effective at stopping charging bears, but I also always carry a large-bore pistol when out in the woods for the “Lead Spray” option. o o o Mamma beaver, baby nabbed trying to get inside Eagle WinCo – RBS o o o Idaho woman appeals NSA surveillance lawsuit – RBS


Economics and Investing:

Podcast: Why America is Becoming a Renter Nation o o o The Typical Household, Now Worth a Third Less. – P.M. o o o Items from Mr. Econocobas: Here’s What Wall Street Bulls Were Saying In December 2007: Read And Take Cover! House Panel Set for Tuesday Vote on Fed Transparency Bill Where Is The World’s Most Expensive Big Mac?


Odds ‘n Sods:

Mad Max: Fury Road – Comic-Con First Look [HD] – G.G. o o o Two Americans Stricken With Deadly Ebola Virus in Liberia o o o The borders are closed, but the airport remains open? Liberia Closes Borders to Curb Ebola Outbreak – T.P. o o o Two Persistent Energy Myths With Attendant Conspiracy Theories. – J.S. o o o While illegals get bus trips, Americans are being tazed and arrested by border patrol 100 miles away from the border. – B.B. o o o 8 Insane Things Put in Place by John McCain’s $100 Million Pro-Invasion Spending Bill . …




Guest Article: July In Precious Metals, by Steven Cochran of Gainesville Coins.

Welcome to SurvivalBlog’s Precious Metals Month in Review, where we take a look at “the month that was” in precious metals. Each month, we cover the price action of gold and silver, and we examine the “what” and “why” behind those numbers. The summer months are slow times for both stocks and commodities, with thin volume as many investors and traders taking summer vacation. Because of this, large orders can sometimes make big ripples. We saw this again in July, just like we did in June. The June closing prices for precious metals were: Gold: $1325 Silver: $20.96 Platinum: $1482 …


Scot’s Product Review: DRD Tactical CDR-15-556

AR-15s are pretty common these days. I like them a lot, though they aren’t perfect by any means. We can quibble about the caliber and gas systems all day, but they have good ergonomics and are widespread and popular. Good ones are reliable. I hadn’t really planned on reviewing factory-made AR-15’s, as they such a generic, well-known commodity, but when DRD Tactical offered one, they put a word in the subject header that made me interested. The word was “takedown”. Takedowns are something that I have always found fascinating, and DRD builds a takedown version of the AR. The idea …


Recipe of the Week: Honey Lemonade, by T.C.

This is a recipe that I got from a local beekeeper for honey lemonade. It is delicious and simple to make. Ingredients: 1 cup honey 1 cup lemon juice 4 cups water Directions: Mix all together in a blender. Let chill and then enjoy. o o o Do you have a favorite recipe that would be of interest to SurvivalBlog readers? Please send it via e-mail. Thanks!


Letter Re: Our Struggle With Survivalism

Hi Hugh, I think it’s necessary to add a #10 to R.B.’s factors for experiencing pessimism: 10. A lot of people out there are waiting for some trigger event that will signal the start of a collapse. In reality, it has already occurred. That event has been the collapse of our government. We no longer have a government that upholds the rule of law. We are seeing epic lawlessness displayed by all of the government institutions. Our representatives and senators are truly ineffective against the growing power of a very, very small group of individuals who have control over very, …


Economics and Investing:

We’re in the third biggest stock bubble in U.S. history – CDV o o o Driving our way into poverty: Subprime auto debt continues to expand while domestic auto production remains weak.. – o o o Items from Mr. Econocobas: America’s Lost Decade: Typical Household Wealth Has Plunged 36% Since 2003 What Japan’s June Trade Disaster Really Means: Abenomics Is Flaming-Out


Odds ‘n Sods:

Here is a very important story for SurvivalBlog readers. A recent California court decision has stripped water rights from well owners, and the management of underground water supplies could now be regulated, if this court case is upheld. Expect meters and limits on water pumping “in the name of fairness” and to “protect this endangered species”. Court ends Private Property Rights: Lawsuit could expand state control of groundwater. – C.K. o o o The District of Columbia Loses a key Handgun Control Federal Court Decision Tonight. – H.L. o o o Nanny-State of the Week: Wisconsin Towns Fight Repeal of …



Notes for Sunday – July 27, 2014

July 27th is the birthday of Captain Samuel Whittemore(born, 1694 – died February 3, 1793.) He was an English-born American farmer and soldier. He was eighty years of age when he became the oldest known colonial combatant in the American War of Independence. o o o Today we present another entry for Round 53 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The $11,000+ worth of 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), A course certificate from onPoint Tactical. This certificate will be for …


Killing, Dying, and Death – Part I, by M.H.

This article will be on something that is rarely talked about but nevertheless is a fact of life and certainly a major fact in a TEOTWAWKI type situation. It’s the combat mindset of killing, dying, and death. This includes getting a handle on killing bad people; you dying; your wife, husband, or kids dying; and the fear of death. Most importantly, it also includes the fear of killing. It will hopefully shatter all the theories and misconceptions people have from Hollywood, or from “experts” who have never killed or risked being killed. While not particularly thought of as a skill …