Readers’ Recommendations of the Week:

SurvivalBlog reader T.G. writes in: My first and foremost pick is ‘Alas, Baylon‘ by Pat Frank. Written in 1959, it starts off in the sleepy little Florida town of Fort Repose, a brief family history of the main character, and soon leads up to an accidental nuclear war in the Middle East that goes world wide. The story details how the lights go out and how Fort Reposed goes from 1959 to sometime in the 1800’s as people have to relearn how to do almost everything plus deal with day to day life minus information, a hospital, functioning police, and …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Don’t miss this over at our friend Enola Gay’s always informative Paratus Familia blog: Product Review – Gun Skins. I particularly like the Molon Labe green camouflage. – JWR o o o Spring could bring a fresh surge of refugees. But Europe isn’t ready for them. JWR’s Comment: My intel sources tell me that the social media buzz in the Middle East about European Invasion Part Deux has been building for many months. Emboldened by their success in 2015, I expect the spring and summer of 2016 to be a veritable deluge of uncouth humanity. o o o A sweet …



Notes for Tuesday – February 16, 2016

Today, we present another entry for Round 63 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The nearly $12,000 worth of prizes for this round include: First Prize: A Tactical Self-Contained 2-Series Solar Power Generator system from Always Empowered. This compact starter power system is packaged in a wheeled O.D. green EMP-shielded Pelican hard case (a $1,700 value), A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate that is good for any one, two, or three day course (a $1,195 value), A course certificate from onPoint Tactical for the prize winner’s choice of three-day civilian courses, excluding those restricted for military or government teams. …


Letter Re: Constitutional Carry

Hugh, I’d like to make a comment regarding “Constitutional Carry” laws that are in the works around the country. We had one here in Maine pass last year. Ours has conditions mandating the disclosure of carrying should you encounter a police officer. The premise of creating a state law (with conditions, infringements, etc) in order to enforce a Constitutional law is unconstitutional. This is usurping the Constitution at the state level. Even worse, the “Constitutional Carry” law is just another typical state law that can be repealed by any future legislature. I would encourage anyone in any state that is …


News From The American Redoubt:

Militiaman Blaine Cooper claims patriot rancher LaVoy Finicum left his weapons at refuge before leaving on trip that led to his death – RBS o o o The Remotest Place in the Lower 48. (Of course it is in the American Redoubt.) o o o Rare weather event produces spontaneous snowballs in Idaho o o o Montana: Financial despair, addiction and the rise of suicide in white America – Not all is rosy in the American Redoubt. o o o SurvivalRealty.com has a client who as written about life in the Canadian Wilderness.


Economics and Investing:

Deranged Central Bankers Blowing Up The World – S.Q. o o o Financial Crisis 2016: High Yield Debt Tells Us That Just About EVERYTHING Is About To Collapse o o o Items from Professor Preponomics: US News What Energy Bankers are REALLY Saying: “We are looking to save ourselves now!” (Zero Hedge) Excerpt: “…anyone holding out for a big push higher across energy equities as a result of a wave of distressed equity M&A can give up: according to Credit Suisse the next wave of mergers will take place via ‘debt negotiations’, not equity buyout offers….” Warning: Commentary following the …


Odds ‘n Sods:

SurvivalBlog reader D.B. sent in this link to an article on the vehicle mounted anti-ambush shotgun arrays used in Rhodesia. Having problems being ambushed? o o o In the relentless march to bring SkyNet into reality: Darpa robot ship. Question is, how long before they decide to arm one? – DMS o o o Reader B.B. sent in the link to a nice video on antique hand cranked sewing machines. This link has a nice instructional video as well as an article. o o o 70 percent of Americans are being treated for a depression they DON’T HAVE, says award-winning …


Hugh’s Quote of the Day:

“The right to keep and bear arms is neither granted by nor guaranteed by the Constitution. The Second Amendment merely names and acknowledges the right and confirms government pledges not to infringe on that right. Just as we don’t gain the right to be armed by any document, nor do we keep it or lose it by any document, nor does any document confer validity or any other particular quality to it, nor can any document expand or reduce it. A document is an incidental artifact, it may be reinterpreted or altered or even withdrawn, but the right it attempts …



Pat Cascio’s Product Review: Beyond Locks – Door Security

For much of my life I’ve been involved in law enforcement, security, K-9 security, private investigations, and security consulting in one form or another. It’s been a fairly diverse and exciting career, to be sure. I’m hardly ever bored on most days. I still do some security consulting these days and training, mainly in the firearms field, as time permits. For a guy who is supposed to be at the very least semi-retired, I find myself busier than I care to be most days. I don’t know what happened to my retirement dreams of hunting, fishing, and sitting on the …


How to Use Old Cooking Oil: The Floating Wick

A few months ago, one of my consulting clients mentioned that she had over-stocked her supply of vegetable oil. She had also neglected to store it in her freezer, to extend its storage life. The result after four years was 10 quarts of corn oil and two quarts of olive oil that had gone rancid. She asked if there was anything she could do with the oil. (She bemoaned the fact that that olive oil was particularly expensive.) My reply: Buy some floating wicks, and burn up that oil as a source of light and heat, during power failures. Floating …


Recipe of the Week: Quick Texas Chili, by Sawyer

No self-respecting Texican would ever put mushrooms or beans in chili. You can serve chili with beans, but never Beans in chili. Ingredients: The easy way is to use Wick Fowler’s Two Alarm Chili Mix, I have never been able to make it better myself. However, you can duplicate it yourself if you are averse to buying a pre-packaged mix: 2 lbs ground beef, ground for chili (I prefer a mixture of Venison and Wild Hog/fat back myself) 1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce 2 cups water 2 teaspoons paprika 4 teaspoons cumin 1 tablespoon dried onion flakes 1?4 teaspoon …


Letter Re: Making a Final Run

Dear Hugh, In regards to the final run concept, I have to add my contrarian view and say, don’t do it! I have witnessed first hand the competitive spirit of people at a Walmart prior to a weakened hurricane making landfall. It made Black Friday look calm. Any perceived event that would be seen as significant enough for the general population to panic and flock to stores will be extremely dangerous. Why risk physical danger to the “runner”, damage to that person’s vehicle, exposure to any illness being carried by members of the general population, (which could be the reason …


Economics and Investing:

Fingerprints for Food: Venezuela Rolls Out New Plan to Keep Shelves Stocked. “…critics warn that the scheme — which is not mandatory for the moment — will be one more way for the state to keep tabs on the population, or might be a precursor to rationing.” Submitted by T.A. o o o ‘Look out, we are heading for a crash again’, warns William White, the central banker who predicted 2008 crisis – G.G. o o o Items from Professor Preponomics: US News Food Stamp Beneficiaries Exceed 45M for 55 Straight Months (Washington Free Beacon) Excerpt: “The USDA has been …