Year: 2016

Economics and Investing:

71,777,758 Enrolled in Medicaid and CHIP; Up 14,478,342 Since Obamacare Exchanges Opened; 1 for Every 2 Americans With a Job – B.B. o o o Price Controls May Be On the Way o o o Items from Professor Preponomics: US News California Audit Reveals Pension Debt Grew by 2,000% (Breitbart) Excerpt: “With the addition of the GASB’s required balance sheet adjustments, each of California’s approximately 12.7 million households now is on the hook for about $31,904 in pension obligations.” Study: Big Banks Don’t Have Enough Capital Cushion (Washington Examiner) Excerpt: “In other words, big banks such as Bank of America, …


Odds ‘n Sods:

SurvivalBlog reader J.W. sent in this interesting article on Power Water Networks that were popular during the second half of the nineteenth century. This might be a usable skill for performing work should TEOTWAWKI happen. o o o Some of these questions are so basic that it is truly scary to think that these are the next leaders of the world – or not. Depressing Survey Results Show How Extremely Stupid America Has Become – Sent in by B.B. o o o Make Vinegar From Apples. This can be used for anything except “pickling”, which requires the use of known …



Notes for Thursday – March 31, 2016

March 31 is the birthday of economist Dr. Walter E. Williams, PhD., who was born in 1936. o o o Today, we present another entry for Round 63 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The nearly $12,000 worth of prizes for this round include: First Prize: A Tactical Self-Contained 2-Series Solar Power Generator system from Always Empowered. This compact starter power system is packaged in a wheeled O.D. green EMP-shielded Pelican hard case (a $1,700 value), A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate that is good for any one, two, or three day course (a $1,195 value), A course certificate …


Thinking About Fitness and BOB, by S.B.

I like being prepared for whatever comes my way. That doesn’t mean I know what’s coming, but simply that I’m as well prepared as possible to deal with situations that may arise. In so doing, I pay close attention to my surroundings, whether they are immediate, in the micro sense, or globally in the broader sense. I consider this critical to preparedness and the ability to act when needed. Paying attention to myself is equally critical. Having the mental capacity to assess the situation and devise a plan is one thing. Having the physical ability to carry it out is …


Letter Re: TATP

JWR, Regarding the Brussels terrorist incident: While I don’t doubt that TATP was used, something is wrong with this! TATP is an “entrophic”; I believe that is the word, a reaction. There was lots of gas but no heat or fire. The Brussels explosions show fires in several areas. Something else must have been used in conjunction with TATP. The question is what and how did “something else” get past the sensors, dogs, et cetera? As a retired deputy, I still have several law enforcement contacts. Several months ago I was talking with one. He mentioned they were being trained/briefed/educated …


Economics and Investing:

SILVER vs. GOLD: 2 Must See Charts o o o 23 Percent Of Americans In Their Prime Working Years Are Unemployed – Sent in by B.B. o o o Items from Professor Preponomics: US News Junk Territory: US Corporate Debt Ratings Near 15 Year Low (CNN Money) Excerpt: “In the past four years, S&P has assigned a single-B rating to 75% of companies accessing the debt markets for the first time. That rating is just one notch up from triple-C, a rating given to companies with a high probability of default.” School of Debt: How to Bankrupt Public Education, Chicago-Style …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Camping Survival posted a canned food shelf life video that mentions and takes place in their new store. If you have questions on the longevity of your food, you might want to take a peek at it. (Or perhaps you might just want to see their new storefront/warehouse.) o o o So much for man as the major cause of pollution: Volcano erupts in Alaska, sends ash 20,000 feet into air TRUNEWS with Rick Wiles – Sent in by RBS. o o o Some amazing pictures. This is what I call “off-grid” – Forest Ranger Spots Hidden Cabin In Woods, …



Notes for Wednesday – March 30, 2016

On March 30, 1981, President Reagan was shot and seriously injured outside a Washington, D.C. hotel by John W. Hinckley Jr. Also wounded were White House news secretary James Brady, a Secret Service agent, and a District of Columbia police officer. Known for his quips and unaware of the injury to others at the scene, President Reagan walked into the hospital, despite his wound, and was heard telling his wife, “Honey, I forgot to duck.” o o o Today, we present another entry for Round 63 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The nearly $12,000 worth of prizes for this …


Lessons Learned at a Prepper Auction, by LCA in WNY

Last weekend, my spouse and I attended a very interesting auction. The auction was advertised as “Apocalypse Prepper Estate Auction.” It listed a large gun collection, large quantity of ammo, tools, household items, and four vehicles. The advertisement caught my eye, so off we went. We arrived in time to preview some of the items. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. I stood there thinking it seemed as if he had used SurvivalBlog.com as a checklist. He had purchased every item ever mentioned in this blog. Then, I had to chuckle as I spotted a table with a dozen …


Letter Re: Cashless Society

Dear Editor, The move to a cashless society appears to be on track, but some will resist the final withdrawal of paper and coin money from circulation… unless they have a compelling reason to voluntarily give it up. I’ve thought for years that the only thing needed to cause people to shun cash is a report of a pathogen that rides from person to person on cash. All we need is a report from the CDC, which doesn’t even have to be true, that they are investigating some cases of hepatitis infection where cash was the vector. The cashless infrastructure …


Economics and Investing:

Opinion: Negative interest rates put the global economy on a razor’s edge o o o Is A Gas War Between The U.S. And Canada About To Start? o o o Items from Professor Preponomics: US News Americans Just Had $176 Million in Wages Garnished by the Government Due to Unpaid Student Loans (Market Watch) Excerpt: “Hicks said he’s particularly concerned that it appears that tens of thousands of borrowers are entering default for the second time each quarter the Department measured.” Uncontrollable – Pentagon and Corporate Contractors Too Big to Audit (Taxpayers for Common Sense) Excerpt: “All $585 billion and …


Readers’ Recommendations of the Week:

Reader M.C. suggested Wanat: Combat Action in Afghanistan by the US Army Combat Studies Institute. “This really is a book loaded with information that every soldier or citizen soldier should embrace. The ‘lessons learned’ commentary is worth much more than the price of the book.” o o o Most people have seen the movie The Eagle Has Landed. But I highly recommend you actually read The book by Jack Higgins. Follow that up with the aftermath, The Eagle Has Flown. I so wish both would be remade into films. Unlike British claims, German troops did land on their soil. Luckily …


Odds ‘n Sods:

It’s Bill Whittle time! Reader MtH sent in this link – Firewall: American Fascists. o o o Family demands justice after man killed in apparent break-in in Newcastle Excerpt: “…was a gentle giant, a loving father of three, who wouldn’t hurt a fly.” Seriously? Do they have any idea what that hand signal is in the photo they display? Do they care that he was there to steal and cause harm? And of, course, he had just been released from jail in which he was serving time for breaking and entering. What a twisted world we live in. – A.S. …