Year: 2015

Notes for Sunday – July 05, 2015

On July 5, 1810, P. T. Barnum, the great American showman, was born. He died on April 7, 1891. He is often credited with the phrase “There is a sucker born every minute.” While the actual attribution of the quote is suspect with many versions of the story abounding, the concept remains valid, especially when one considers the economic state of the entire world. Only in a world of fools could the economy of entire nations, indeed the vast majority of the world, be driven solely off of debt. o o o We have reached the halfway point in Round …


Aquaponics, by A.M. in NC

Introduction As a forward to this article, let me tell you a little about myself. I’ve been an avid daily reader of SurvivalBlog for about four years now and an avid prepper since my days as a Boy Scout. I’m 30 years old with a wonderfully supportive wife and two adorable girls. About two years ago, after being introduced to the idea of aquaponics, I started thinking about how much the cost would be to get started, how much more of my time toward prepping this would take up, and then finally how I would convince my wife that this …


Letter Re: Illusive Self Sufficiency

Hugh, When I read the letter from RG, I thought, “Did my husband write this?” We have been in the same spot, also at year three of striving for preparedness and self sufficiency. I wrote SB over a year ago; it was the article on Year One at the New Retreat. We have continued our preps and property improvements and are still working very hard. I suspect we will never reach that point where we have thought of everything. Since my husband travels as part of his work, a great deal of the work around the property falls to me. …


Economics and Investing:

Rosy jobless numbers cover up bad news. – J.F. o o o Famous Rothschild Banking Dynasty Facing Fraud Charges In France o o o Non-working America soars by 640,000 in one month to new record of 93.6 million. Not in the labor force Americans up 11 million since 2010. o o o Sugar, flour, rice: panicked Greeks stock up on essentials – G.G. o o o Greek banks prepare plan to raid deposits to avert collapse. – G.G. o o o Tax Like It Is July 4, 1776. – PLC


Odds ‘n Sods:

An interesting multi-part look at the history of the ancient world: Production Versus Plunder o o o Government Trolls Are Using “Psychology-Based Influence Techniques” On YouTube, Facebook And Twitter – H.L. o o o Hackers Installed Sophisticated Malware on U.S. Computers. Why Doesn’t Anyone Care? – G.P. o o o Tragic tale of the German who wouldn’t salute Hitler Lives, families, fortunes, and honor. – G.P. o o o Americans Don’t Deserve to Celebrate July 4th This Year. – B.B.


Hugh’s Quote of the Day:

“And they come to Jerusalem: and Jesus went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves; and would not suffer that any man should carry any vessel through the temple. And he taught, saying unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves.” Mark 11:15-17 (KJV)


Notes for Saturday – July 04, 2015

It’s July 4, 2015, and today’s festivities have a disappointing bittersweetness. Instead of a genuine celebration, they seem like more of a wistful memorial to the freedom that we once enjoyed. Just 239 years ago we fought a war of independence, but now we find ourselves under the thumb of globalists, statists, and internationalists. It is time to pluck a few chickens and warm up the tar pot. – JWR o o o Today, we present another entry for Round 59 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The $12,000+ worth of prizes for this round include: First Prize: A Gunsite …


Do What You Are Good At, But Work At What You Aren’t, by R.D.

Fear and prudence I’ve never thought of myself as being particularly knowledgeable on specific things regarding preparedness. I wasn’t in the military, so I don’t feel qualified to give “tactical firearms advice”, but I like to shoot and train as much as possible. I’m not an EMT, but I’ve put together several first aid kits that our family feels comfortable using. I’m not a farmer, but we have learned basic gardening over the last seven years in our small urban garden. I’m not a professional mechanic, but I prefer to maintain our cars and equipment largely by myself. I’m not …


Letter Re: Most Important Prepping, by JM

HJL, JM’s article on preppingis very good, well written, and info we need. But, what about senior citizens like myself who are on the downside of 70s, partially disabled by a neurological condition and couldn’t walk a mile if my life depended on it? My wife, who is five years younger and in better shape than myself, can outwork most men. I have adequate weapons, some stored water and food, but I don’t feel we are more than 30-40% prepared. We would like to protect our home as long as possible. We are in an older, smaller sub-division about 45 …


Economics and Investing:

Greek banks prepare plan to raid deposits to avert collapse – JBG (requires login) o o o Items from Mr. Econocobas: Greek Bank Closures May Deplete Supermarket Shelves Greece Maybe Out of Cash by Weekend Greek Banks Considering 30% Haircut On Deposits Over €8,000: FT The Complete Greek Referendum Walk-Thru: When, How, What To Expect; And What Comes Next


Odds ‘n Sods:

Top sheriff: America now ruled by ‘oligarchy’. – H.L. o o o Schools Implant IUDs in Girls as Young as 6th Grade Without Their Parents Knowing. – D.S. o o o Surplus military Humvees heading to the highway?. – T.J. o o o 128 Unaccompanied Alien Children Caught At Mexican Border Per Day In May. – B.B.



Notes for Friday – July 03, 2015

JRH Enterprises is having an Independence Day sale on New 3rd Gen Pinnacle Autogated PVS14 High Performance model night vision monoculars. These come with all the standard accessories and JRH is throwing in a FREE weapons mount to the first 20 orders. These PVS14’s are Brand new with a 10 year factory warranty. Also on sale is the NightFighter 2 combo that includes the HP PVS14 as well as ACH helmet, IR laser and more. o o o Today, we present another entry for Round 59 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The $12,000+ worth of prizes for this round …


Seriously Mentally Ill (SMI), by N.N.

My experience is based on working with the SMI population in a behavioral health outpatient clinic and through personal experience with a spouse with a SMI diagnosis as well as a parent with an SMI diagnosis. The types of individuals that are in the SMI population vary wildly and can been acutely symptomatic and asymptomatic depending on their diagnosis. This is NOT a complete guide on mental illness; it’s only an experienced perspective on mental illness. Acute symptoms Acute symptoms are often easy to identify; they include talking to self, responding to internal stimuli, depression, aggression, or suicide. Common symptoms …


Letter: The $100 Bet on Greece

HJL, As I write this, Greece and its financial woes are in the news again. There is nothing especially surprising about that, as Greece has been there before. Greece has been in a state of “soft default” since at least 2009. For the last five years Greece and the EU have engaged in on again – off again negotiations trying to tap dance around what has become known as “The Greek Debt Crisis”. The can, as they say, has been kicked down the road several times. At the end of this month (June 2015), Greece is due to cough up …