Year: 2016

Economics and Investing:

Understanding Societal Collapse: Warnings From Venezuela’s Crisis – Sent in by B.B. o o o Canadian Silver Maple Sales Surge To Highest Record Ever o o o New Mexico, suing the EPA over spill caused by the agency, Seeking $100 million – Some runoff from a pond in Montana gets 15 years in prison. Poisoning Flint, Michigan or the Navajo Nation? Nothing. – T.Z. o o o Banks Keep Cutting Bond Traders as One-Third Gone Since 2011 o o o SurvivalBlog and its editors are not paid investment counselors or advisers. Please see our Provisos page for details.


Odds ‘n Sods:

Venezuela is a warning! Did You Know That Venezuela Banned Guns for Private Citizens Only 4 Years Ago? – Four years is just ONE term of a presidency. Only four years after this forced disarmament, they reached today’s headlines/breadlines. – D.S. o o o Company claims new software program can identify terrorists – “An Israeli start-up claims it has developed a software program that can identify terrorists, pedophiles and ace poker players by analyzing their facial features.” – A.S. HJL’s Comment: Perhaps now would be a good time to watch Minority Report again. o o o US Mulling Plan To …



Notes for Wednesday – May 25, 2016

On May 25th, 1787, The Constitutional Convention convened in Philadelphia with George Washington presiding. The task of the peaceful overthrow of the new American government as it had been defined by the Article of Confederation eventually led to the United States Constitution that is so abused today. o o o Today, we present another entry for Round 64 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 …


The Prepper’s American Dream: A Practical Guide To Strategic Relocation- Part 2, by Charles T.

Planning a relocation When my wife and I realized that our current location was not where we wanted to stay long term, we had to take the hard step of figuring out where else to go. To do this, we leaned heavily on the core values we had identified for ourselves. We began our relocation pursuit by identifying that we were looking for somewhere that met the following criteria: We could afford to purchase a house on one salary. We could afford to have my wife stay at home with kids. There were mountains and plentiful outdoor spaces to explore. …


Letter Re: Hoof Trimming Piece

Hugh, Please pass my thanks to Charles T. for that. Interestingly, I had just come from the Oklahoma Horseshoeing School, having gotten one of my horses shod, when I opened the website and saw that piece. While waiting for the horse, I visited with a student from Mississippi, one from Wisconsin, and one from Colorado. They were in the 13-week class. After that intense training, they know their craft. A number of students were making horseshoes at the forge. It’s nice to know that ancient art is alive and well. – F.T.


Economics and Investing:

France Hit By Gas Shortages, Rationing After Refinery Workers Go On Strike “In the aftermath of the French labor law reform, local refinery workers have launched a strike to hit the government where it hurts the most. Protesters have blocked deliveries to gas stations from at least half of France’s eight refineries, and workers at three Total refineries have voted to halt all output by Tuesday. The effect was immediate: as an IEA analyst observed, `there is a noticeable fuel shortage in the North West and North of the country, including parts of the greater Paris region.’” – H.L. o …


Readers’ Recommendations of the Week:

Reader DMS suggested the book Dark Waters. It’s about the only U.S. submarine to serve 4 decades, and very few even knew it existed. o o o Reader G.L. recommended the movie Alone, but not Alone. Based on a true story, the movie follows two immigrant sisters who are captured by the Delaware Indians. This movie is also known for the theme song by the same title which was nominated for an Oscar, then disqualified.


Odds ‘n Sods:

After imprisoning Oregon ranchers, Obama to sign an executive order legalizing BLM tyranny to take over any land it wants – B.B. o o o Baby boomers to blame for lost generation of gardeners – DSV o o o A bit like closing the barn door after the horses have already escaped: Finally Getting Serious about Identifying Islamists? – D.P. o o o There’s No Place To Hide From Surveillance Technology In 2016 – A.S. o o o Obama banishes Vietnam war era with lifting of arms ban U.S. Arms going to Vietnam? What’s next, selling arms to ISIS? Wait, …


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

“It’s said that ‘power corrupts’, but actually it’s more true that power attracts the corruptible. The sane are usually attracted by other things than power. When they do act, they think of it as service, which has limits. The tyrant, though, seeks mastery, for which he is insatiable, implacable.” – David Brin, The Postman


Notes for Tuesday – May 24, 2016

On May 24th, 1775, John Hancock was elected president of the Second Continental Congress. He is best known for his large signature on the Declaration of Independence, which he jested the British could read without spectacles. o o o Today, we present another entry for Round 64 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 …


The Prepper’s American Dream: A Practical Guide To Strategic Relocation- Part 1, by Charles T.

If you closed your eyes and pictured your ideal bug out location, what would your mind’s eye see? You’d probably see green grass, blue skies, rolling hills, fertile farmland, your family, friendly neighbors, and a basement stocked with a thousand years of food and supplies. Now, open your eyes. Is that what surrounds you now? If not, then why not? Are you stuck in a job, weighed down by family obligations, struggling with debt, or just filled with fear? Many of us have an idea of what we want in life and what we think would be best for our …


Letter Re: Hobbit Houses

Hugh, I looked at these houses you can bury. We found a few areas of concern. They are joined together in such a way that we were concerned about leakage. Also, you can only bury in about 6″ to 8″ of dirt, which doesn’t give much protection. We are planning to get InterShelter Domes. They come in 14′ diameter or 20′ diameter, and domes can be attached to each other to make bigger dwellings. InterShelter Domes withstand hurricane force winds, earthquakes, and require no maintenance. InterShelter Domes are made of aerospace fiberglass, and you would have to hold a blow …


News From The American Redoubt:

John Jacob, of Radio Free Redoubt, has sent in the link to a document from IdahoFreedom.org on the “Freedom Index” of the various Idaho candidates up for election. If a candidate rated a “D” or an “F”, vote them out. There are far too many candidates that do not value your freedom! You can also get more voter information and election resources/articles to help you decide at http://www.redoubtnews.com and http://idahofreedom.org. In the primaries, there were some good outcomes, but mostly Bad ones. Let’s stay on top of this as we get closer to November. o o o Wyoming welder, facing …


Economics and Investing:

Reader S.M. wrote in to say: “At times I need to ship gold coins so I joined the North American Collectibles Association. That gave me access to their private insurance program, which covers up to $75,000 per shipment. The rates for insurance are way lower than USPS registered mail, or the rates charged by UPS and Fedex. You can ship via USPS, FedEx, UPS, even domestic freight. I paid less than $100 to insure $75,000 shipments. “They state that most claims are settled in 30 days. I’ve never had a claim with NACA, but the one time I had a …