Month: December 2016

Notes for Saturday – December 31, 2016

December 31st is the birthday of Dr. Cynthia Koelker, SurvivalBlog’s Medical Editor. It is also the birthday of Frederick Selous (born 1851, died 4 January 1917). o o o Mountain House is hiking most prices on their 30-year freeze-dried foods January 1 (as much as 10%). Safecastle is offering MH Sale discounts of as much as 48% through Dec. 31 (midnight Eastern time). Prices may never be this low again, so don’t miss this opportunity. o o o Today, we present another entry for Round 68 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The nearly $15,000 worth of prizes for this …


Keeping Your Head, And Preventing Others From Losing Theirs, by G.F.

In a critical situation, would you rather make war or make peace? I think the idea of cooperating to live through a crisis is much better than a “kill or be killed” scenario. The main reason why we need to think on this topic is that if the unthinkable happens, we can more easily restore our society from scratch. Like the Founding Fathers, we will have a foundation to build on. A pile of dead people is not a good way to start. Peace of mind is the key to happiness, and to have peace of mind you need resources. …


Letter Re: Secession

Thanks for the article. I enjoyed it, but I have a couple of questions: the Supreme Court rulings seem to pertain only to states wanting to leave an “indestructable Union” composed of “indestructable States”, but does that still leave open the possibility of one of the “indestructable States” wanting to separate and become another state and still be part of the United States? You mention Baja Arizona, and certainly there is discussion about a State of Jefferson. There’s also the intent/desire for Silicone Valley to split off and become their own state. I’m sure upstate NY would like to divorce …


Economics and Investing:

Outlook 2017: What To Expect From Oil, Gold, USD And FX o o o Foreign Exchange Outlook (Scotiabank) o o o Investment Outlook 2017 (Credit Suisse) o o o Here’s where contrarian investors plan to make their money in 2017 o o o SurvivalBlog and its editors are not paid investment counselors or advisers. Please see our Provisos page for details.


Odds ‘n Sods:

Spinners, Weavers, and Sheep Ranchers take note: The Annual Black Sheep Gathering is scheduled for June 23-25, 2017 at the Lane County Fairgrounds in Eugene, Oregon. o o o The Northwest Preparedness Expo is calendared for May 6, 2017, in Prosser, Washington o o o A Storm is Coming: Preppers Must Stay Vigilant in 2017 o o o Signs of the times: Germany Considers Fining Facebook $522,000 Per Fake News Item o o o Star Parker: Obama Abandons Israel



Notes for Friday – December 30, 2016

December 30, 1865 was the birthday of Rudyard Kipling. I should mention that his writings about Afghanistan have sparked a modern-day revival of interest in Kipling among British, Australian, and American officers and NCOs deployed to Afghanistan. o o o Today, we present another entry for Round 68 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The nearly $15,000 worth of prizes for this round include: First Prize: A $3000 gift certificate towards a Sol-Ark Solar Generator from Veteran owned Portable Solar LLC. The only EMP Hardened Solar Generator System available to the public. A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate that …


Growing Pineapple, by G.J.

In post-Columbian Europe, imported or greenhouse pineapples were a symbol of wealth, often being used for decoration rather than being eaten. Now, imagine a world gone crazy, where even the canned pineapple is only a memory. For those of us who are well-stocked and even have a garden, the loss of trucking and worldwide shipping means a lot of fruits, especially tropical ones, will be simply a memory, kind of like how generations ago received oranges at Christmas as treats. Citrus fruits are not too much of a stretch in parts of the U.S., but pineapples will be rare. What …


Letter Re: Localism

HJL, Regarding “Localism”, the hard, cold facts are that whatever significantly disrupts society to the point of power-grid collapse will induce major chaos, loss of life, loss of comfort, loss of wealth, and loss of security. A moral people (which our nation is not) must be governed by law, even in the absence of external government. Self-control is the foundation of civilization and must be based on a generally-acknowledged code of ethics. For past centuries, the Bible and Ten Commandments formed the platform for society. Now, not even the churches will acknowledge these authorities, let alone the Darwinists. The most …


Economics and Investing:

The 14-Year Record of the Baltic Dry Index o o o Ten Commandments for Buying Gold and Silver o o o Dollar Euphoria And Gold Price o o o 2016: A Year For Contrarians…2017 Shaping Up That Way As Well o o o SurvivalBlog and its editors are not paid investment counselors or advisers. Please see our Provisos page for details.


Odds ‘n Sods:

Wranglerstar Video: The Super Snowplow and Log Grapple Delivery o o o Total Survivalist: 2016 New Years Resolutions Final Review o o o Claire Wolfe: John Lott “reviews” the box-office flop, Miss Sloane o o o “Lines Out The Door”: How Americans Respond When Liberal States Restrict Their Gun Rights o o o A consulting client recently asked me for advice on how to keep his sets of web gear and MOLLE plate carriers organized and handy for transport. My solution: Use military pilot helmet bags. Tag them with the model of firearm(s) that they are carrying gear for, such …



Notes for Thursday – December 29, 2016

One of the deadliest mass shootings in U.S. history was actually perpetuated by the Federal Government itself on December 29th, 1890, on the Lakota Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. While unconstitutionally disarming the people, the U.S. 7th Cavalry Regiment opened fire on men, women, and children, killing over 150 Indians, nearly half of which were women and children. Another 50 or so were wounded, some dying later from those wounds. The officers lost control of their men, and some were recorded as fanning out and finishing off the wounded. Wounded Knee stands as a prime example of why the Second Amendment …


Strategic Opportunities and Challenges in a Trump-Putin World, by S.G. in Florida

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Lost in the media coverage of the elections is that the Trump administration presents an opportunity for strategic cooperation between the U.S. and Russia that would not had been available if Hillary Clinton had been elected. Despite this opening, the challenges confronting such cooperation are many and formidable. Trump fits the alpha male Russian stereotype: he is a strong leader, brash, displays some recklessness, has a beautiful trophy foreign wife, is a multi-billionaire with a gold-plated apartment, is a relentless self-promoter with a big ego, and is a BS artist but has been successful (so far). Those traits alone will …


Letter: Fat wood Firestarter

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The fire starter recommendations are all good, and they do work. This article is not intended to take away from those talented writers, but I did want to write something that may provide an alternative that takes little prep time, zero storage considerations, is light weight, works in wet conditions, and can be started with one strike of a ferrocerium rod. If you are familiar with Fat wood and building a good pyre, skip down to the 4th paragraph. I have started fires with a Bow and Spindle, Cotton Ball and Petroleum jelly, char cloth, 9-volt battery and steel wool, …