Preparedness Notes for Sunday — May 26, 2024

May 26. 1907 was the birthday of Marion Robert Morrison who adopted the stage name John Wayne. He is of course remembered for his dozens of westerns including True Grit. He also starred in McQ and The Green Berets.  He passed away on June 11, 1979, not long after shooting his final western film, The Shootist. May 26, 2024 is the 34th wedding anniversary of Don and Patrice Lewis. Patrice is the Editrix of the excellent Rural Revolution blog. May 26, 1949 was the birthday of Randall Hank Williams (Hank Williams, Jr.) When not touring, he lives Somewhere in Montana, …




Improving Local Security – Part 2, by Tunnel Rabbit

(Continued from Part 1.  This concludes the article.) Using military field telephones as our primary communication method solves a number of training issues. And they are the most sustainable communications technology for an austere environment. Most importantly, field phones defeat several significant threats. And take note that using the same inexpensive insulated wire, we can operate remote transmitters, a P.A. or intercoms at gates, hard-wired trip wire alarms, and low voltage DC lighting as a part of our security operation in a fixed location. Low-cost and durable WD1A wire can also be used as tanglefoot, anti-vehicle, to construct HF antennas, …




JWR’s Meme Of The Week:

The latest meme created by JWR, based on a suggestion by SurvivalBlog reader Simon in England: Meme Text: The Mass Media Says: Protestors Can Burn U.S. Flags as “Freedom of Speech” But if You Burn a Rainbow Flag That You Paid for Yourself: “That is A Hate Crime!” News Links: Why burning the American flag is free speech. Facts and Case Summary – Texas v. Johnson. In England: Is the burning of the Pride flag a hate crime? LGBTQ flag burned at California elementary school before Pride event. Pride flag burnings caught on camera prompts investigation in Sacramento County. ‘A …




The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened. Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.” – Matthew 24:21-24 (KJV) 




Preparedness Notes for Saturday — May 25, 2024

On May 25, 1720, the ship “Le Grand St Antoine” reached Marseille, bringing Europe’s last major plague outbreak. The Plague of Marseille killed around 100,000. — On May 25th, 1787, The Constitutional Convention convened in Philadelphia with George Washington presiding. The task of replacing the new American government as it had been defined by the Articles of Confederation eventually led to the United States Constitution that is so abused today. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 112 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include: First Prize: The photovoltaic power specialists …




Improving Local Security – Part 1, by Tunnel Rabbit

In anticipation of a worst-case scenario that is well depicted in the Bible’s book of Revelation, I fortunately relocated in 2005. I live on the edge of the wilderness in a mountainous and heavily forested part of western Montana. Simply being located in this remote region of the country, and given its terrain, greatly increases my  odds of surviving The End Times, if that is possible at all. When Will the Country Explode with Violence? The debate over a slow decline versus a fast decline is now academic. We are indeed seeing a ‘quickening’, a higher frequency of attacks on …




Editors’ Prepping Progress

To be prepared for a crisis, every Prepper must establish goals and make both long-term and short-term plans. In this column, the SurvivalBlog editors review their week’s prep activities and planned prep activities for the coming week. These range from healthcare and gear purchases to gardening, ranch improvements, bug-out bag fine-tuning, and food storage. This is something akin to our Retreat Owner Profiles, but written incrementally and in detail, throughout the year.  We always welcome you to share your own successes and wisdom in your e-mailed letters. We post many of those — or excerpts thereof — in the Odds …




The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice: for the Lord will do great things. Be not afraid, ye beasts of the field: for the pastures of the wilderness do spring, for the tree beareth her fruit, the fig tree and the vine do yield their strength. Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the Lord your God: for he hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month. And the floors shall be full of wheat, …




Preparedness Notes for Friday — May 24, 2024

On May 24, 1883, the Brooklyn Bridge—spanning the East River from Brooklyn to Manhattan Island in New York City— officially opened. It was designed by civil engineer John Augustus Roebling. — The Sporter Sale Continues!  All 16 of the remaining sporterized Pre-1899 rifles in my inventory are on sale, at Elk Creek Company. By request from several readers, I’ve extended this sale for a full week, to end on Friday, May 31st.  When I last checked, we still had sporters available chambered in: .22-250, .243 Winchester, .257 Roberts, 6.5×55 Mauser, 7×57 Mauser, .308 Winchester/7.62mm NATO,  7.62x39mm, 7.65mm Argentine Mauser, and …




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 …