Year: 2016

Odds ‘n Sods:

Some good predictions on coming crunch times: over at the great Of Two Minds Blog: Ultimate Long Game: Autarky and Resilience. A key quote: “Those with surplus food will be the ultimate arbiters of value.” o o o Bill Weld Just Compared AR-15s to “Weapons of Mass Destruction,” & Said Pistols Were Even Worse! JWRs Comment: And he is the Libertarian Party’s Vice Presidential pick? It looks like there are NO good choices for the upcoming election. – JWR o o o This is how the US military would put down an armed rebellion – J.C. o o o College …


Hugh’s Quote of the Day:

“And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, and desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem. And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: and he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I …


Notes for Saturday – August 13, 2016

Today is the birthday of screenwriter, director, and producer, Alfred Hitchcock (1899–1980) His many films spanned five decades. Today is also the birthday is shared by sharpshooter, entertainer, and folk heroine Annie Oakley (1860–1926.) o o o Today, we present another entry for Round 66 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 …


The Times They Are A Changin’ , by ShepherdFarmerGeek

Last night, the Dogs of Doom and I were out for our after-dinner hike when we heard what sounded like voices. But it was coming from the treetops, and soon a crow flew into sight, pursued by an angry sparrow. The crow was smarter, stronger, faster, and much bigger than the little bird, but he was being driven away because the sparrow was out-maneuvering it. I knew exactly how that crow felt! Nine hours earlier I had been the only customer at the local copy shop, and the owner was helping me find some colored paper, when this sour-looking elderly …


Letter: Remote Versus Truly Remote Rural Retreats

Dear Editor:I’ve been reading SurvivalBlog for a few weeks now, and while I admit that isn’t remotely enough time to wade through all the data present, I’m an old school (former) U.S. Marine that has long had a survialist mindset; I see one particular issue that jumps out at me. The standard advice, for looking for a bugout location or retreat, whether inside or outside of the ‘Redoubt’ seems to be this… 1) Find a plot of 20 acres or more that is, (2) off the beaten path BUT (3) has a well established road access, (4) with a good …


Economics and Investing:

Core Retail Sales Tumble Most Since January – H.L. o o o The Curious Timing of Current Events – It’s All Connected – Interview with Bix Weir o o o The Real Reason Brazil Can Still Be “the Country of the Future” o o o Central Banks Are Choking Productivity o o o SurvivalBlog and its editors are not paid investment counselors or advisers. Please see our Provisos page for details.


Odds ‘n Sods:

Here we go again… Stockton, California Mayor Anthony Silva arrested for lewd conduct with minors. And, almost predictably, we learn that Silva is a member of former Mayor Mike Bloomberg’s Mayors Against Illegal Guns (now part of the “Everytown For Gun Safety” group.) o o o How to Invest in Guns for Maximum Profit and Diversification: Podcast Interview with JWR o o o Meet Chuño, a space worthy food that the Incas made eight centuries ago – P.B. o o o DEA regularly mines Americans’ travel records to seize millions in cash – H.L. (Warning: Autoplay video on the page.) …



Notes for Friday – August 12, 2016

This the birthday of country singer/songwriter Buck Owens (1929–2006). His songs typified what has been called “The Bakersfield Sound”. o o o Today, we present another entry for Round 66 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 …


“So Tell Me Again…”- Part 4, by M.D.

Test Batches Whatever you decide to begin with or whenever you switch to a new item, do a small test batch first. This is a bigger deal than you might think, for a number of reasons. Let me give you a couple of personal examples where I did this step right and where I ran amuck. I have been dehydrating for years now and recently decided to add bananas to my repertoire, even though I don’t eat a lot of them; you know the think when the grid’s down and there is the need for potassium. Bananas should be pretty …


Letter Re: Christian Healthcare Ministries

Hugh, Please be aware that if you must cancel membership that all claims must have been paid out first. They say that it takes 60 to 90 days to pay. If membership is canceled prior to payout, they do not pay. I was left with a $1200 bill when I canceled membership. There is one obscure sentence in their booklet that supports them not paying. – M.N.


Economics and Investing:

Billionaires are holding $1.7 trillion in cash o o o The Coming Breakdown Of U.S. & Global Markets Explained… What Most Analysts Miss o o o U.S. farmland values drop. The latest U.S. Department of Agriculture report showed a widespread drop in farmland values with the highest losses in the Northern Plains. – W.W. o o o Gold Price Surge Seen Cutting India’s Demand This Year, World Gold Council Says o o o SurvivalBlog and its editors are not paid investment counselors or advisers. Please see our Provisos page for details.


Odds ‘n Sods:

Some good info for HK rifle fans, over at Commander Zero’s Notes From The Bunker blog: The new PTR-91 rifles o o o Like many Mac users, I was fairly complacent about viruses and malware. Traditionally, the vast majority of these were directed at Microsoft OS platforms. But reading some recent headlines prompted me to install two pieces of Mac software: Avast Mac Security and Malwarebytes for Mac. After running some scans, I learned that when I installed a “freeware” song organizer for my iTunes audio files, it also came with a few “free” viruses. Yikes. Be vigilant for virus …



Notes for Thursday – August 11, 2016

With saddened hearts, we have learned that Mike Vanderboegh of Sipsey Street Irregulars passed on yesterday. Mike started as one of “them” and then saw the light. He became a giant among the great leaders of Freedom in our time, establishing the III Percent movement and breaking the “Gunwalker Scandal”. Mike stood strong for liberty and we will miss him. – HJL o o o Today, we present another entry for Round 66 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 …