Preparedness Notes for Thursday — July 31, 2025

July 31st, 1703: Novelist Daniel Defoe was placed in a pillory for the crime of seditious libel after publishing a politically satirical pamphlet. But he was pelted with flowers, and cheered by his supporters. — On July 31, 1958, the Anti-Chinese uprising began in Tibet. — July 31st, 1921, was the birthday of Army Air Corps veteran David Thatcher, one of the Doolittle Raiders. — And today is also the birthday of free market economist Milton Friedman (born 1912, died November 16, 2006.) — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 119 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing …




Avoiding Mass Vehicular Homicide, by R.D.J.

“…The act of intentionally or unintentionally causing multiple deaths through the use of a vehicle. This can occur in various ways, including deliberate attacks, reckless driving, or accidents caused by negligence or impaired driving…” In this article we are not talking about accidental vehicular casualties, and Lord knows there are far too many of them in everyday life. No, we are talking about the deaths and injuries that result from someone deliberately driving a vehicle, statistically usually a car but occasionally a much more deadly and difficult-to-stop truck, into pedestrians either on either side of the street or occasionally in …




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. In today’s column, we look at Smart Meter surveillance. When Smart Meters Turn Into Spy Tools SurvivalBlog reader D.S.V. set us this: When Smart Meters Turn Into Spy Tools. Here is …




The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“[T]he drive of the Rockefellers and their allies is to create a one-world government, combining super-capitalism and Communism under the same tent, all under their control … Do I mean conspiracy? Yes, I do. I am convinced there is such a plot, international in scope, generations old in planning, and incredibly evil in intent. ” – Congressman Lawrence P. McDonald




Preparedness Notes for Wednesday — July 30, 2025

On July 30, 1619. the House of Burgesses in Virginia was formed. It was the first elected American governing body. — Today we also remember the birthday of author Reginald Bretnor. He was born Alfred Reginald Kahn on July 30, 1911, in Vladivostok. He died on July 22, 1992 in Medford, Oregon. In addition to penning many witty science fiction novels and short stories in his characteristic style, he also wrote nonfiction articles for Mel Tappan’s P.S. Letter — Today’s feature article is a guest piece by our friend Brandon Smith, the Editor of Alt-Market.us. — We are now seeking …




Lefties, Illegals And Minorities Are Finally Experiencing “Consequence Culture”, by Brandon Smith

Travel back in time to the year 2021 and you might find yourself in the middle of a bizarre debate over the virtues of “cancel culture”. At the time the political left was aggressively trying to secure long term power within the US through a multi-pronged psychological offensive – A war on the minds of the masses designed to force Americans into submission. A big part of their strategy relied on the fundamentals of Cultural Marxism: The combination of Marxist mob tactics, artificial consensus and the exploitation of minority grievances as a vehicle for controlling speech. This was the rise …




SurvivalBlog Readers’ & Editors’ Snippets

Our 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. — SurvivalBlog reader D.S.V. recommended this article in Better Homes and Gardens: 12 Critical Supplies You Should Keep in Your Storm Shelter at All Times. o  o  o A massive magnitude 8.7 earthquake hit the Kamchatka Peninsula yesterday. This triggered tsunami warnings as far away as Huntington Beach, California! — An English-dubbed 2024 …







Preparedness Notes for Tuesday — July 29, 2025

On July  29, 1279, five emissaries dispatched by Kublai Khan from the Mongol Yuan dynasty were beheaded in Hakata, Japan. Their gravestones can still be seen in Kamakura at Tatsunokuchi. — July 29, 1805 was the birthday of Alexis-Charles-Henri Clérel de Tocqueville. He died April 16, 1859. He is best known for his lengthy treatise: Democracy In America. — On July 29, 1930, a record high of 115°F (46°C) was recorded in Holly Springs, Mississippi — a state record. — Reader C.B. passed along some sad news: Tom Lehrer, Song Satirist and Mathematician, Dies at 97.  One of my favorites …




Preventing Bicycle Tire Flats: A DIY Kevlar Method, by B.C.

I’ve been trying to get a puncture in my bicycle tires for over two years now. So far, I’ve failed miserably. Background History I’ve been a bicycle rider since I was a kid, but I didn’t get serious until I got a job in a midsized town at the ripe old age of 21. Work was not within walking distance. I didn’t want to buy a car to commute to work and I held off buying one until I was in my mid-twenties. That really helped my bank account, and I got lots of exercise. The local weather was generally …




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. Today, news about two additional life sentences for Lori Vallow Daybell. (See the Idaho section.) Idaho The War Bonnet  Round-Up will be held July 30 to August 2nd, 2025 in Idaho Falls. o  o  o Two more life sentences for Doomsday Mom Lori Vallow Daybell. o  …







Preparedness Notes for Monday — July 28, 2025

On July 28, 1914, Austria-Hungary decided against mediation and declared war on Serbia. This was the first declaration of war, beginning The Great War, which was later named World War I. — On July 28, 1932, U.S. Army troops, using tanks, cavalry, and tear gas demolished and burned the shantytown set up near the U.S. Capitol by unemployed Bonus Army protestors. — Today’s feature is a review written by SurvivalBlog staff writer Tom Christianson.. — Just a few days left: A fan of SurvivalBlog is one of the organizers of a real estate raffle for a 32-acre parcel of waterfront …




Purefire Fire Starters, by Thomas Christianson

Purefire Fire Starters use an integrated magnesium rod to provide a durable, compact, long-lasting, waterproof source of shavings for highly effective tinder for the ferrocerium rod with which it is mated. The Survival Model has a hollow handle in which the striker, additional tinder, or other survival essentials can be stored. The Folding Model, as its name indicates, can be folded into the handle, making it more compact and thus easier to store and carry. Both models are handmade in the USA and have a lifetime warranty. When the magnesium and ferrocerium are both fully exhausted, they are eligible for …




Recipe of the Week: Crock Pot Chicken Wings or Legs

The following recipe for Crock Pot Slow Cooker Chicken Wings or Legs is from SurvivalBlog reader and slow-cooker fan Tony D.. Ingredients 2 teaspoons smoked paprika (or less, to suit your taste) 2 teaspoons granulated garlic powder (or less, to suit your taste) 1 teaspoon salt (or less, to suit your taste or a low-salt diet) 3 pounds chicken wings and/or legs (drumsticks) 1 ½ cups barbecue sauce/. (I’ve tried several brands, and they all worked well.) Directions Mix the paprika, garlic powder, and salt in a small bowl. Place the chicken wings or drumsticks in a 6-quart slow cooker. …