Year: 2014

Prepping During the Calm After the Storm, by D.L.

One of the hardest things to do in prepping, especially if you were inspired by a specific incident or disaster, is to maintain your preps long after the initial threat seems to have faded away. There’s an initial burst of energy and acquisition of skills; then there is a slow fade and then a rapid fade. Eventually, something will happen, and you will find yourself unprepared again. It’s a bit like dieting before your high school reunion. Then, once the reunion is over, trying to keep your diet going but allowing yourself a weekly cheat day, then adding a cheat …


Letter Re: NYC Chokehold

Hugh, The man resisted arrest. Do you think he was right to do that? Don’t you agree he had other options, like complying, and he exercised a poor one? Is it the officer’s fault he’s obese and at great health risk before he was contacted? Do you or anyone else expect any officer intending to make an arrest to change their mind because you disagree? The suspect, God have mercy on him, did the wrong thing. When you do the wrong thing, you end up with undesirable results. Those officers effected the arrest of a much larger man by the …


Economics and Investing:

Richard Russell – I’m Afraid We Will See Blood In The Streets – J.W. o o o Items from Mr. Econocobas: 1 In 3 U.S. Adults Have ‘Debt In Collections’ Why The 10-Year Treasury Could Yield 4% By Thanksgiving Use Of The Word ‘Bubble’ Reaches Worrying Levels Japan’s Retail Sales Drop in Challenge to Abe Reflation- This is Economic Lunacy



Odds ‘n Sods:

Photos Emerge Of 10 “Active Militia Teams” Securing The US-Mexico Border. – H.L. o o o Worth 1,000 words: Pictures of Hamas tunnels in Gaza. – JMC o o o Video: Illegal aliens get more money than most Americans: Collect More Than $7,000 Per Month for ‘Fostering’ Adult Illegal Aliens. – P.M. o o o SurvivalBlog Reader K.S. wrote in to tell us that those who are interested in “Slow Sand Filter Plans” can save lots of time and effort by using a swimming pool sand filter. They are built the same way but are smaller because they use a …



Notes for Tuesday – July 29, 2014

July 29th, 1805, is the birthday of Alexis-Charles-Henri Clérel de Tocqueville, who died April 16, 1859, 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 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, Two cases of Mountain …


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

Are fighters born or made? Who knows. That has been well analyzed by many psychiatrists who generally lack the key ingredient of first hand combat experience. Research that on your own if you choose. I will tell you it does not matter. If you were born that way, good for you; if not, MAKE yourself the fighter! What does it take to become the fighter though? It takes mental training, physical fitness, and of course both general and specific training. Mental training. Some call it visualization training. You go over the scenario of choice in your head and examine the …


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 …