Preparedness Notes for Friday – November 30, 2018

During a White House ceremony attended by James S. Brady, President Bill Clinton signed the Brady handgun-control bill into law. Once again, the U.S. government violated the God-given rights outlined in the U.S. Constitution by requiring a five day waiting period before the purchase could proceed. During the waiting period, the authorities were tasked with performing background checks and either approving or rejecting the purchase. o o o SurvivalBlog Writing Contest This has been another entry for Round 79 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The nearly $11,000 worth of prizes for this round include: First Prize: A $3000 gift …




Water Treatment Options: How to Avoid Poisoning From Toxins- Part 2, by AJS

In part 1, we learned that toxins other than mercury cannot be avoided entirely in the drinking water, as some are not removed by screens, activated carbon or silver water filters, or chlorine treatment. Some toxins are even made more toxic by boiling. Furthermore, some toxins cause physical symptoms of poisoning almost immediately. In particular, populations of cyanobacteria (a blue-green algae) may be dominated by a single species or be composed of a variety of species, some of which may not be toxic and some which have been deadly to animals. We learned about the locations, timing, and durations of …




Economics & Investing For Preppers

Here are the latest news items and commentary on current economics news, market trends, stocks, investing opportunities, and the precious metals markets. We also cover hedges, derivatives, and obscura. And it bears mention that most of these items are from the “tangibles heavy” contrarian perspective of JWR. (SurvivalBlog’s Founder and Senior Editor.) Today’s focus is on investing in antique Winchester rifles. (See the Tangibles Investing section.)   Precious Metals: Gold Bounces As Fed Chair Powell Caves o  o  o Love. Fear. Inflation…A Precious Metals’ Trifecta   Economy & Finance: A fair assessment of America’s present-day financial pickle, by Gary Christenson: …







Preparedness Notes for Thursday – November 29, 2018

Today is the birthday of Clive Staples (“C.S.”) Lewis, who was born in 1898 and died November 22nd, 1963. He is best known for his Chronicles of Narnia book series. o o o SurvivalBlog Writing Contest This has been another entry for Round 79 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The nearly $11,000 worth of prizes for this round include: First Prize: A $3000 gift certificate towards a Sol-Ark Solar Generator from Veteran owned Portable Solar LLC. The only EMP Hardened Solar Generator System available to the public. A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate. This can be used for …




Water Treatment Options: How to Avoid Poisoning From Toxins- Part 1, by AJS

Long-term survivalists find themselves in many environmental settings, but the common denominator is often the desire to be close to fresh water. A person needs it to drink, cook, bathe, do laundry, perhaps wash prospecting finds, and even fish and swim in as recreation for family members. Dangers in Raw, Natural Ground Water In raw, natural ground water there are dangers. These include: chemicals, such as nitrogen and phosphorous from agricultural runoff, microorganisms feeding on pollution that can cause disease, heavy metals, such as mercury and arsenic, which have implications to human health, and toxins caused by algae. The survivalist …




The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods:

SurvivalBlog presents another edition of The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods— a collection of news bits and pieces that are relevant to the modern survivalist and prepper from “HJL”. One Michigan school is completely full of hockey puckey. The Army’s Next-Gen Weapons Reader H.L. suggested this article on the Army’s Next generation squad rifle and pistol. Both weapons are designed specifically to improve on the weaknesses of the existing M16/M4 and the M9. Features of the squad rifle include higher velocity bullets and the ability to penetrate body armor. The M17/M18 pistol incorporates modern proven technology to increase the handling characteristics …







Preparedness Notes for Wednesday – November 28, 2018

On November 28th, 1520, Magellan finally reached the Pacific Ocean after navigating the dangerous straits on the southern tip of South America that now bear his name. He became the first European explorer to reach the Pacific from the Atlantic. o o o We are nearing the end of Round 79 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. Make sure you get your article finished up and sent in. o o o SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today features another entry for Round 79 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The nearly $11,000 worth of prizes for this round include: First Prize: A …




Living the Old Way, by G.T.

Ever since I was a little boy I dreamed of the life of a mountain man, living the old way. I grew up largely in Central Idaho. Stories of the Rocky Mountain fur trade and the men that forged a life in the wilderness were a big part of my life. My Time in Service After high school, I joined the Marine Corps, did five years, received an honorable discharge, joined the Army for another three years, and again was also honorable discharged. During the tail end of my time in service, I was able to study and become an …




Economics & Investing For Preppers

Here are the latest news items and commentary on current economics news, market trends, stocks, investing opportunities, and the precious metals markets. We also cover hedges, derivatives, and obscura. And it bears mention that most of these items are from the “tangibles heavy” contrarian perspective of JWR. (SurvivalBlog’s Founder and Senior Editor.) Today’s focus is on investing in M1903 Springfield Rifles. (See the Tangibles Investing section.)   Precious Metals: First up, over at Gold-Eagle: Gold’s Net Gain Of Nothing o  o  o 50% Equity Market Drop Won‘t Drive Gold Prices Higher – CrossBorder Capital   Economy & Finance: Government debt …




JWR’s Recommendations of the Week:

Here are JWR’s Recommendations of the Week for various media and tools of interest to SurvivalBlog readers. This week the focus is on illumination items (See the Gear section.) Books: Churchill: Walking with Destiny o  o  o Instant Pot Pressure Cooker Cookbook: 500 Everyday Recipes for Beginners and Advanced Users o  o  o Planning to celebrate Hanukkah?  Then learn the real reason for the season:  Maccabee   Movies: The Man Who Would Be King.  From Roger Ebert’s 1975 review:  “John Huston’s “The Man Who Would Be King” is swashbuckling adventure, pure and simple, from the hand of a master. It’s …










A Compulsion to Disarm: The History of Grabby Governments Since 1026 BC

In the wake of the 2018 mid-term elections, so-called “gun control” is back in the news. Even though the murder rate in the United States is declining and at a 33-year low, the mass media’s much-heralded “threat of gun violence” has politicians in a frenzy much like those seen in 1968 and 1994. Gun control laws and decrees should be called out for what they really are: Systematic Civilian Disarmament. In Western nations, most such legislation usually starts small, progressing from registration to wholesale confiscation. First one category of weapons is banned, and then another. Gradually, these draconian laws can …