Year: 2016

Economics and Investing:

Items from Mr. Econocobas: Dow Tumbles Nearly 400 Points on China Worries- Dow and S&P Off to Worse Start Ever – I would expect a relief rally very soon, otherwise I don’t see how we don’t get a serious intervention by world central banks. Silver Seen Beating Gold as Ratio Rises to Near Historical Peaks– And we are not even talking about the historical average of around 16:1. Most Americans are One Paycheck Away from the Street Items from Professor Preponomics: US News Watchdog Says Government Agencies Ignore Billions in Savings (Taxpayers for Common Sense) Excerpt: “Agencies have a “too …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Computers as judge, jury, and executioner – The risks — and benefits — of letting algorithms judge us. We aren’t to be judged, so we are algorithmed. – T.Z. o o o Doctors Urge California Residents “Leave Now…While You Can” As Gas Leak Fears Grow – Interestingly enough, I have some contacts in Texas that are telling me that this leak is small potatoes. There are apparently oil fields that have long had unstoppable leaks much larger than the one in California. o o o Denver Science Museum Reverses Course on Concealed Carry – T.P. “The new policy quietly went …



Notes for Friday – January 08, 2016

On this day, in 1835, the U.S. National Debt reached zero for the first and only time. This is also the birthday of the late Algis Budrys (born 1931, died June 9, 2008). He was the Lithuanian-American science fiction author who wrote the classic survivalist novel Some Will Not Die. o o o An ongoing financial crash…war looms on the horizon…tyranny at home…feeling like you need a bit more long-term food storage? Ready Made Resources has a sale on Mountain House cans with savings from 25-40%! o o o Today, we present another entry for Round 62 of the SurvivalBlog …


What’s For Dinner?- Part 1, by J.R.

I tell my family that those are the three most dreaded words in the English language. At the same time, I often think about how very difficult life is going to become when most women will not be able to answer that question for their families. While those who are preparing for complete collapse of the economy and our society may feel they have the situation covered, the reality is that the vast majority of preppers, at least those I have conversed with and observed, do not. The reasons vary. For most, it is lack of knowledge of what foods …


Letter Re: Welding With Car Batteries

Mr. Williamson, I can verify that this will work. Using two car batteries I field repaired a bracket for a hydraulic water drilling rig in Honduras. I have a few comments on the linked video to make it easier for SurvivalBlog readers. First, use an old wire coat hanger for your welding rod. Second, Mark in the video appeared to swap the polarity of the electrode before and after. Positive DC to the stick (electrode) puts more heat into the workpiece, negative DC to the electrode puts more heat into the stick (for thinner workpieces). Lastly be sure to use …


Economics and Investing:

GOLD & SILVER: Up In A Sea of Red… Get Used To Days Like This o o o The Bankers’ India Gold Grab o o o Items from Professor Preponomics: US News The “Services” Based Economy Delusion (Contra Corner) Excerpt: “In short, the service economy may well be doing fine, though I doubt it, but in the end it won’t be nearly enough to save anyone.” Macy’s to Cut Up To 4,800 Jobs After Weak Holiday Sales (ABC News) The real data is incoming no matter the tendency to blame the weather. Excerpt: “Macy’s said that unseasonably warm weather that …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Internal War Is Now On The Horizon For America – B.B. o o o Max (of Max Velocity Tactical) wrote in with a link of his view in the Malheur situation. Incidentally, Max also has a new book out – Patriot Rising: The Unbroken available both as a paperback and a Kindle version. o o o SurvivalBlog reader J.B. sent in this interesting take on “North Korea’s H-Bomb: The Lesson You Haven’t Thought Of” – Certainly something to chew on as this election cycle heats up. o o o Cyber-Attack On Ukraine Proves US Power Grid Is Vulnerable Photo of …



Notes for Thursday – January 07, 2016

This is the birthday of several notables: Senator Rand Paul (born 1963); Cresson Kearny (born 1914, died December 18, 2003); and Bent Faurschou-Hviid, known as The Flame (born 1921, died October 18, 1944). The Flame was a red-haired Danish resistance fighter in the Holger Danske Group during World War II. His exploits were dramatized in the movie Flame and Citron. o o o Today, we present another entry for Round 62 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. …


Blueprint for Rebuilding- Part 2, by GRC

Security With the basic necessities provided for by a thriving local economy, specialists can be employed to organize our third bullet point, security. In our pre-Reset cooperative outline we can lay the groundwork for our security strategy. Few families can hire a professional trainer full time. Gym membership for physical fitness or even a group membership at a local gun range are important first steps. The self-defense cooperative’s purpose would be to take this further and secure the services of a qualified professional skilled in physical fitness for all ages and abilities, self-defense techniques, and team building[23]. With the understanding …


Letter Re: The Grid Will Never Be Down in the Way You May Think! – Part 2, by X-liberal

HJL: This is a well thought out article and a new way of looking at “the grid”. I have to disagree with one point though. In the paragraph entitled “The Pattern” the last sentence says: “Now it is run by Liberal Democrats, and sadly, discrimination is the key to its access.” I humbly submit that it is not just the Liberal Democrats but also the elitist establishment Republicans as well. Truly, you cannot tell one from the other. – LL in Idaho


Economics and Investing:

Saudi Arabia is running out of money The cash crunch is so bad in Saudi Arabia that the government just hiked the price of gasoline by 50%. Yep, you read that right. Instead of paying the equivalent of $0.64USD for a gallon, they will now have to pay a whopping $0.96USD per gallon. – P.S. o o o Petro Currencies Under Fire As Oil Keeps Sliding o o o Items from Professor Preponomics: US News U.S. Shale Companies: Bankers are Quietly Tightening the Liquidity Noose (Zero Hedge) Watch out for the effects of possible liquidity triggers like this one. Excerpt: …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Attorney KrisAnne Hall makes a solid case, supporting to goals of the Constitutionalist group that is occupying a Federal building in eastern Oregon. HJL Adds: It is important to remember that while we agree that the underlying principles that brought this mess in Burns, Oregon to a head are very important and that abuses have, are, and continue to be propagated by the Federal government, the methods and tactics employed by the Bundys and militia leave much to be desired. Bob Wright has written a letter titled “Why Bunkerville was so right and Burns is so wrong” that outlines our …