Year: 2017

Notes for Tuesday – March 07, 2017

Panic in Year Zero: It is important that SurvivalBlog readers take the time to read at least the summary of the Wikileaks “Year Zero” March 7th announcement. (Also known as Vault 7.) The ramifications of this release of state-sanctioned and state-sponsored cyberweapons are huge. The sheer volume of weaponized code that has been unleashed is amazing. The mis-use of these cyberweapons could very rapidly devastate e-commerce, banking, satellite navigation systems, and public utilities, including national power grids. Do not dismiss this as mere speculation. The risk is real, and the risk is huge. This announcement is just one more reason …


Building An 80% Firearm- Part 1, by Tupreco

Learn the Why and How The election of Donald Trump is beginning to show concrete steps toward dialing back the Obama administration’s numerous efforts to undermine our Second Amendment rights. How that will continue to play out remains to be seen. Surprisingly though, even on Obama’s watch there were several pro-2nd Amendment (2A) court and legislative victories, including expansion of concealed carry in many states. Another thing that occurred while Obama was in office was an unexpected but welcome surprise from the ATF. Several years ago, a well-known AR-15 parts manufacturer requested and received the ATF’s formal approval to manufacture …


Letter Re: Dental Emergencies Questions

Dear Editor, After combing through the dental information on your blog, I’m hoping you might report a new and comprehensive article on dental care and how to be prepared. I think it important to address this issue because dental woes can render a person unable to function. As one of your blog entries noted, broken bones and other injuries of the body will eventually knit up, but a tooth abscess will only get worse and can actually become fatal. I’m looking to know what equipment is needed to address tooth extractions whether I have to do it myself, or, in …


News From The American Redoubt:

Anyone who wants to convert a cargo van for camping or Get Out Of Dodge purposes should check out End of the Earth Vans, in Missoula, Montana. The proprietor is pro-gun and has amazing skills. o o o SurvivalBlog reader E.W. highly recommended Sourdo.com as a source of sourdough cultures and highly recommends the Russian culture as a fast riser and heavy lifter that works well with whole fours. Activating the starter mid-evening makes fresh, whole spelt bread by the next afternoon possible. The South African culture is also advertised as working well with whole grain flours. o o o …


Economics and Investing:

Here’s an example of a bank you want to avoid o o o Why It Isn’t Game Over For Canada’s Oil Sands. Many declared the oil sands dead after some oil majors withdrew and debooked reserves, but while they may be down, they are definitely not out. o o o Half US can’t write check for 500 HJL’s Comment: Perhaps one of the reasons that they can’t write a check for $500 is precisely because they are constantly buying the newest phone, or 100” flat screen TV, or eating out too much…and so on. It seems that we have forgotten …


Odds ‘n Sods:

To keep Tor hack source code secret, DOJ dismisses child porn case – T.P. o o o A useful skill to have: Just a detail – Guy Higgins on the Importance of Plans and Checklists – Condo Prepper o o o Get home bike? This Folding Fat-tire Ebike Does 85 Miles On A Single Charge, And Also Fits In Your Trunk – G.P. o o o Over at CommanderZero: CostCo ammo cans o o o Coming to a town near you: All-knowing surveillance system detects gunfire all across America – C.J.



Notes for Monday – March 06, 2017

March 6th was the birthday of Leroy Gordon “Gordo” Cooper Jr., (1927) in Shawnee Oklahoma. This U.S. Air Force pilot and astronaut, who was aboard Mercury 9 and Gemini 5, had his exploits well documented in Tom Wolfe’s book The Right Stuff, and in the well-done film of the same name. Cooper died at age 77 from heart failure at his home in Ventura, California, on October 4, 2004. Coincidentally, this is also the birthday of Valentina Tereshkova (born 1937), a Soviet cosmonaut and the first woman in space (aboard Vostok 6). She was born in Maslennikovo, USSR.


Kel-Tec SU-16B, by Pat Cascio

This isn’t my first Kel-Tec SU-16B rifle; I bought one around 2003 or 2004, if memory serves me correctly. What caught my attention back then was that it didn’t look like other so-called “assault rifles”. It was compact, lightweight, and shot the .223/5.56 caliber round. However, I had nothing but problems with that particular sample. The empty brass would stick in the chamber after firing, and quite often loaded rounds wouldn’t fit the chamber either. The gun was sent back to Kel-Tec, and several weeks later I got the gun back. I was told that the chamber reamer was worn …


Recipe of the Week: Is There Any More of That Chicken? by J.M.

This simple, inexpensive meal will leave your guests asking, “Is there any more of that chicken?”. The result is a moist, fall-off-the bone chicken thigh wrapped in a crisp sweet and tangy skin. Note that hormones and antibiotics spoil this recipe, so shop for quality chicken. Ingredients: 6-8 plump chicken thighs 1-2 large cloves of garlic, minced Fresh ground mild chili or black pepper ½ cup olive oil ¼ cup Balsamic or apple cider vinegar ½ cup honey 1-2 tsp Balsamic or apple cider vinegar ½ cup molasses Directions: Preheat oven or covered grill to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Place cooling …


Letter Re: Solid Fuel Stoves

Hugh, Our home is located in NW Wyoming, at an elevation of just under 6,000 feet. We have operated both a coal stove (Hitzer Model 30-95 EZ-Flo Hopper Stove) and a wood burner (Blaze King Princess Catalytic Model) for a number of years. The wood stove is on the lowest level of our three-story log home, while the coal stove provides emergency heat for our storage/pantry building. Over the years, we have learned a great many tips and techniques for using solid fuel heaters. The most important step in installing and using one of these stoves is to get the …


Economics and Investing:

China Vows To Refrain From “Mega Economic Stimulus” As ‘Two Sessions’ Begins – H.L. o o o Boomer Parents and their Millennial Kids: Study Regarding Care and Finances o o o 6 Steps Toward a More Sane Economic Policy o o o Gold Drops On Stronger Dollar And Higher Equity Prices o o o SurvivalBlog and its editors are not paid investment counselors or advisers. Please see our Provisos page for details.


Odds ‘n Sods:

North Korea launched four ballistic missiles – C.L. o o o HERE IS THE PROOF! Obama Wiretapping on President Trump o o o SurvivalBlog reader NSD sent in the link to Dr, Viera who has an extensive set of writings on the militia. This is worth a look. o o o Podcast: George Zimmerman And Don West. I can certainly understand no one liking Zimmerman much; but the man who successfully defended him in court is probably worth hearing. – T.J. o o o Another campus, another speaker, another riot – H.L.


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

“I want to make it clear that if you are just wanting to bolt on a bunch of stuff to a rifle because of the perceived ‘cool’ factor, or you are wanting to collect all the likes on the latest social media app–cool, rock on. If tactical dress up is you game-dude go play to your heart’s content. However, you cannot do that, and at the same time trick yourself into believing that you are preparing for serious self-defense. In my experience, and mine only, I have been much more satisfied shooting a basic gun properly, after going to learn …


Notes for Sunday – March 05, 2017

Today is the birthday of Momofuku Ando (born, 1910) the Taiwanese-Japanese inventor of instant noodles and Cup-O-Noodles, born in Wu Baifu, Taiwan. (He died in 2007.) His inventions have saved counted thousands of American college students from starvation. This is also the birthday of Howard Pyle (1853-1911), an influential American book illustrator, painter, and author. He was the mentor of many great American artists, including Thornton Oakley, Frank E. Schoonover, Allen Tupper True, and of course N.C. Wyeth.