Month: May 2024

The Unifying Principle: Why The Political Divisions In The US Today Cannot Be Mended, by Brandon Smith

Recently, I was watching a short documentary about the history of political discourse and division in the US and it got me thinking about how the internal conflicts of the past might relate to the rampant social battles Americans are dealing with today. From early disagreements between various Founding Fathers on hot-button issues like the Sedition Act, central banking, and standing armies, to epic and disastrous conflagrations like the Civil War, America has never been “of one mind” on everything. Overall, though, the longstanding assumption is that even when we slip and fall into disarray Americans will find common ground …


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. In this column, JWR also covers hedges, derivatives, and various obscura. This column emphasizes JWR’s “tangibles heavy” investing strategy and contrarian perspective. Today, we look at the market prospects for gold. Precious Metals: The new floor for spot silver seems to be around $30 USD per Troy ounce. Any time it drops lower in Western trading, the Asian traders quickly run it back up, with strong buying. o  o  o Jim Rickards: $27,000 Gold. A quote: “This analysis …



Preparedness Notes for Thursday — May 23, 2024

May 23, 1824 was birthday of Ambrose Burnside. He served as the Governor of Rhode Island from 1866 to 1869. During the American Civil War he was a general in the Union Army, where he led successful campaigns in North Carolina and Tennessee, but suffered defeats at the Battle of Fredericksburg and Battle of the Crater. After his period as a governor, he served as a US Senator for Rhode Island from 1875 until his death in 1881, and also had a number of industrial directorships, most prominently on the country’s railroad networks. His distinctive style of facial hair gave …


A Common Man’s Commo Plan, by Tunnel Rabbit

Introduction Once our cell phones become unusable or useless, only then we’ll we fully appreciate the need for radio communications. I am writing this because I am painfully aware of how vulnerable we are. Please get “radioed-up” ASAP and use your equipment now and regularly to attain a baseline of proficiency. Satellite phones are not a good substitute for reliable old analog radios that are not dependent upon third-party infrastructure. The Plan The commo plan that I lay out in this article is simple, affordable, flexible (adaptable), and provides redundant capabilities and interoperability for the least amount of money.  It …


The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods

SurvivalBlog presents another edition of The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods. This column is a collection of news bits and pieces that are relevant to the modern survivalist and prepper from JWR. Our goal is to educate our readers, to help them to recognize emerging threats, and to be better prepared for both disasters and negative societal trends. You can’t mitigate a risk if you haven’t first identified a risk. Warrantless Searches by Game Wardens: Unconstitutional Blog reader R.W. suggested this article at Outdoor Life: Tennessee Judges Rein in Game Wardens, Declaring Warrantless Searches on Private Land Unconstitutional. BLM Makes Major …



Preparedness Notes for Wednesday — May 22, 2024

On May 22, 334 BC, the Macedonian army of Alexander the Great defeated Darius III of Persia in the Battle of the Granicus. — The War of the Roses began on May 22, 1455. From History.com’s description: “In the opening battle of England’s War of the Roses, the Yorkists defeat King Henry VI’s Lancastrian forces at St. Albans, 20 miles northwest of London. Many Lancastrian nobles perished, including Edmund Beaufort, the Duke of Somerset, and the king was forced to submit to the rule of his cousin, Richard of York. The dynastic struggle between the House of York, whose badge …


Mental Preparedness for a Free Life, by Mrs. M.

What does this sound like, to you? “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness but denying the power thereof: from such turn away (2 Tim 3:1-5) To me, this sounds like a description of the present day. There are so many places that one could take an …


SurvivalBlog Readers’ & Editors’ Snippets

This weekly Snippets column is a collection of short items: responses to posted articles, practical self-sufficiency items, how-tos, lessons learned, tips and tricks, and news items — both from readers and from SurvivalBlog’s editors. Note that we may select some long e-mails for posting as separate letters. — Some great news! GOA, GOF Help Secure Temporary Restraining Order Against Biden’s Universal Background Check Rule.  Here is a quote: “Today, Gun Owners of America (GOA) and the Gun Owners Foundation (GOF) helped secure a temporary restraining order (TRO) against the Biden ATF’s new Universal Registration Check rule, which could require any …



Preparedness Notes for Tuesday — May 21, 2024

On May 21, 1871, French regular troops began their attack on the Commune de Paris — an attempted French revolutionary government that seized power and barricaded streets in Paris from 18 March to 28 May, 1871. By July 28th, 17,000 had died. — On May 21, 32, after flying for 17 hours from Newfoundland, Amelia Earhart landed near Londonderry, Northern Ireland, becoming the first transatlantic solo flight by a woman. — Today is the birthday of English poet Alexander Pope.  (Born May 21, 1688, died May 30, 1744.) In addition to his own poetical works and essays, he translated the …


Tree Planting and Care, by R.B.

Late winter into early spring is usually the time for planting, pruning, and getting trees ready for the coming summer. Since trees and maintenance services are usually expensive, you need to know how to do this for yourself. If you are thinking about planting new trees in the next 6 to 18 months, then now is the time to prepare. Purchases from a tree nursery must often be planned months in advance. Some nurseries take pre-orders a year ahead. Whether you are planting a fruit tree, a nut tree, a deciduous shade tree, or an evergreen tree for privacy and …


SurvivalBlog’s News From The American Redoubt

This weekly column features news stories and event announcements from around the American Redoubt region. (Idaho, Montana, eastern Oregon, eastern Washington, and Wyoming.) Much of the region is also more commonly known as The Inland Northwest. We also mention companies located in the American Redoubt region that are of interest to preppers and survivalists. Region-Wide Today is election day in many states, for state and local issues. Examine the backgrounds of your candidates closely, and then get out and vote! o  o  o 101 things to do in the Inland Northwest this summer. Idaho Reader R.J. sent this: West Coast …


The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“Imagine the sea-level of the oceans rising at a rate of 50 feet in elevation per day … across the globe.  Naturally, out of self-preservation, any creature in its right mind would be compelled to move to higher ground for safety. No matter how persistent the efforts to build levies with bulldozers and fill sandbags, the waters rush in, over, and through every countermeasure.  Eventually, the creatures congregate to safe havens and places of refuge. Now think of the rising water in human societal and cultural terms.  There has already been a shift of people moving to “higher ground,” socially …