Year: 2014

We Aren’t All Farmers, Soldiers, or Master Gardeners, by Sootgrinder

I would like to share some of my observations, feelings, and plans for dealing with the current and future difficult times that we face. As I have read and studied the survival plans and strategies of the fine members of the SurvivalBlog community, as well as other sources, I have frequently been overwhelmed and discouraged about my ability to deal with the inevitable trouble that is barreling toward us faster every day. I read the stories of people moving to a fully-stocked and well-equipped retreat with their ex-military buddies, who are also master gardeners, trained medical personnel, and have every …


Letter: Composition of Nickels

Hugh, JWR has previously spent some time talking about the conversion of the American nickel to use a different metal content, with predictable results on the value of the existing nickels. I have not seen any discussion of this issue for a long time. Any update? Is it still being planned? – R.H. o o o James, How about an update on the nickel page? Are we still good, or should we be looking for old nickels now? THANKS and God bless!! – K.P. JWR Replies: Surprisingly, the composition of nickels still has not yet changed, but I do expect …


News From The American Redoubt:

Here is a new site dedicated to finding new homes for families who yearn for freedom: The Liberty Lover’s Guide To Life o o o Discuss Proposed Gun Laws in Idaho at the Star Meet & Greet. Ada County (Idaho) Tea Party is hosting a Star Meet & Greet on Wednesday, September 10th @ 7:00pm at Sully’s Pub & Grill. (Link to map) – RBS o o o Explosion burns demolition worker at former Frenchtown pulp mill o o o Yellowstone NP hits 2.7M visitors, on track for record year o o o Idaho’s gay marriage case before federal appeals …


Economics and Investing:

Europe Takes the QE Baton o o o Items from Mr. Econocobas: A Gasoline Tax Map Explains Why The Cost Difference Jobs Still Biggest Worry For Home Buyers Revised: Japan Says Economy Contracted 7.1 Percent in 2Qhttp://finance.yahoo.com/news/japan-says-economy-contracted-7-1-percent-2q-002102022–finance.html The American Family Makes $200 More a Year Than It Did in 1989– Other great charts, too.


Odds ‘n Sods:

Midwest virus may be ‘tip of iceberg,’ CDC warns. – Time to break out the elderberry syrup for kiddos and educate your school on how to sanitize. (Think grapefruit seed extract and thieves oil.) – P.W. Also: Virus hitting Midwest could be ‘tip of iceberg,’ CDC official says. – G.P. o o o The New Terahertz Night Vision Can See Through Walls, Skin. – J.W. o o o The Obama administration’s response to the threat of ISIS recruiting inside the United States has been to release an anti-ISIS video over the weekend, featuring images of ISIS beheading people, blowing up …




“Liberators” by James Wesley, Rawles – Reviewed By Pat Cascio

I started my writing career reviewing Christian books, and my pay was that I got to keep the books. It was fair enough, as I was a young Christian and it helped build my Christian library. I specialized in Youth ministry books at that time. So, I’ve done a fair amount of book reviews in my life. The new book Liberators by SurvivalBlog’s own Jim Rawles recently crossed my desk. Jim was kind enough to send me an advance copy of this, his latest book, which will be out October 21st. Like the other books in this series– Patriots, Survivors, …


Scot’s Product Review: Otis Technology Tactical Cleaning System and Ripcord

Otis Technologies is a U.S. firm based in New York State, where they make all of their products. That’s good for them and good for us. The company was founded by Doreen Garrett in 1985 after a bad experience on a hunting trip. She took a fall into some cold mud with her rifle, which wound up with a plugged bore. She wasn’t able to clear it and had a long, wet walk back to their cabin. Making matters worse, it was her grandfather’s Model 94. As she sat warming up, she started thinking about something that could have saved …


Recipe of the Week: Survivor Taco Bean Soup, by J.M.

Here is a recipe that has wowed people for a few years now, including the hardest group to please– little ones. I prefer to use a large crock pot, as it is cheap to use. Brown 2 to 3 lbs of hamburger adding salt, pepper, onion salt, et cetera. When the meat is well done add 1/4 cup (or more) of taco sauce (not salsa), and simmer for another 10 to 20 minutes. Let the sauce change to a deep red color with the burger juices. You want the flavor in the meat. Combine the cooked burger in the crock …


Letter Re: Observations of a Shopkeeper

I did not enjoy logging on to Survival Blog this evening and reading about how ignorant we are according to “R.R.” Can’t he just educate their customers about the safe handling and proper cleaning of a firearm. I just can’t imagine why R.R. would continue selling such deadly weapons to us imbeciles. Please publish the name of your shop so we can know never to bother you there again. Thank you ever so much, – D.R. HJL Responds: I think you have missed the concept that R.R. was trying to portray. I was a scoutmaster for 11 years as my …


Economics and Investing:

What $1 Used to Get You vs. What It Buys You Today. – G.P. HJL adds: Bear in mind that this infographic does not indicate the relative “value” of the items; it only addresses their worth as designated by the U.S. dollar. The relative value of the items has not decreased much at all when you use a denominator that is generally not affected by inflation (such as precious metals). o o o Labor Participation Rate Drops To Lowest Since 1978 o o o Items from Mr. Econocobas: Most People Don’t Believe It, But We Are Right On Schedule For …


Odds ‘n Sods:

I was thrilled to hear that Scotland might soon regain its independence. This is the chance “just one chance” to set things right and establish an independent nation with a sound currency and perhaps the right to keep and bear arms. The people of Scotland deserve it! – JWR o o o The West Without Water. – JMC o o o This guy is an old hippie but has some good information on stealth camping.  Also, it’s obvious that he’s read a couple of military manuals that apply. Video: Secrets of Stealth Camping. – J.H. o o o A massacre …



Notes for Sunday – September 07, 2014

September 7th is the 99th birthday of Richard Cole, one of just four living Doolittle Raiders. He was General Doolittle’s co-pilot. This is also the birthday of novelist Taylor Caldwell, who was born in 1900 and passed August 30, 1985. Today is also the birthday of Dr. Ludwig Vorgrimler, who was born 1912 in Freiburg, Germany and died in 1983. Vorgrimler was the designer of the Spanish CETME rifle, from which sprang a plethora of roller-lock descendents from HK, including the G3, HK21, and MP5. His bolt design was also copied by the Swiss for their excellent PE57 and SIG …