Scot’s Product Review: DeLorme inReach Explorer

The first warning is that this is an electronic device. It probably won’t work after an EMP or Carrington event. It communicates via the Iridium satellite system, which is also used by the government, so it isn’t secure, not that any electronic communications are. It depends on the GPS satellite constellation, which is another government service. The government can, when it feels like it, degrade the accuracy of civilian GPS units or even shut down the service to all but government clients. There are, therefore, drawbacks that you have to be aware of. Regardless, the DeLorme inReach offers some pretty …


Pat Cascio’s Product Review: Kershaw – Siege Tomahawk

Please indulge me for a few minutes, with some of my past. I was raised by my grandparents from the time I was 6-weeks old. The sad thing is that my grandparents had already raised nine kids of their own, and it sure wasn’t fair to them to have to raise me, but that’s the way it was. I had a good life though; I have no complaints. I didn’t realize it, but back then, in the 1950s, my grandparents were dirt poor. When I was younger, they both worked in the same factory on different shifts so one could …


Recipe of the Week: Chocolate Chick Pea Pudding

Hello Hugh, here is a simple and highly nutritious chocolate chick pea pudding recipe made from all food storage ingredients. The pudding has no beany taste, and if you have a Vitamix or blend the chick peas long enough in a regular blender there is no graininess. I also have used oats as a thickener, in case a person does not use flour or corn starch. Ingredients: 1-15 oz. can chick peas or garbanzo beans 2 cups water 2/3 cups non fat powdered milk 2 Tbsp. cocoa powder 1/4-1/2 cup sugar 2 Tbsp. oats 1 Tsp. powdered egg berries ( …


Letter Re: Pat Cascio’s Product Review: Inter Ordnance “AK-47″

Hugh/JR: I own the same rifle; I just bought it last fall. Full concurrence with all Pat’s observations, but the plastic furniture can be a drawback. During repeat (not full auto) firing, the hand guard failed (melted) at the forward-most position, welding the heat-softened material to the increasingly-hot barrel. I recommend owners of this otherwise fine product consider either increasing the gap between the plastic hand guard and the barrel or swapping it for one of different material. V/R


Economics and Investing:

The World Bank has been found to have violated its own policies, on protecting the rights of indigenous peoples. o o o Ford to spend $2.5 billion on plants in Mexico, angering UAW. – A.W. o o o Oil Busts Triggering Economic Seizures: “A Stream of Bankruptcy Attorneys Running Around”. – H.L. o o o 1 out of 4 college adjunct faculty collecting government assistance: Students in debt and professors barely getting by all the while tuition soars.


Odds ‘n Sods:

The Death of the Left. – H.L. o o o Car thieves’ scary new tool. – D.S. HJL Adds: While the article on the dangers of new technology was interesting, I found the link to the video of the scythe-vs-weed whacker at the end of the article to be incredibly amazing. o o o This New Libertarian Micronation Might Just Be Crazy Enough to Work. – H.L. o o o SurvivalBlog reader L.B. has recommended the OneYardRevolution channel on YouTube. Its focus is on frugal and sustainable organic gardening. In particular, L.B. likes that he doesn’t waste your time by …



Notes for Sunday – April 19, 2015

April 19th marks the multiple anniversary of the battles of Lexington and Concord, known as “The Shot Heard ‘Round the World”. This first battle, leading to our nation’s independence, was the then-dictator’s (United Kingdom King George III’s) FAILED attempt at “gun control”– an act being carried out in too many parts of our USA RIGHT NOW. This first gun control of the colonies was a failure, because of the will and determination of a small part of the population (about 3% actually fought for our independence actively, with many others supporting) to stand up to an oppressive, controlling government (England). …


Street Combat – This Ain’t No Game! – Part 4 of 9, by Pat Cascio

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[Street Combat – This Ain’t No Game is a SurvivalBlog exclusive.] Chapter Two DIRTY FIGHTING TECHNIQUES Growing up, most of us have witnessed school yard fights. These usually amounted to a shoving or wrestling match. However, every once in a while, things got serious and punches flew. In some instances, one opponent will do something “dirty” to win the battle. In the eyes of school children, this is a “no-no”. In real-life, it’s another story. Remember, this is Street Combat – This Ain’t No Game. Also, as mentioned in the last chapter, there is no “second place winner” in this …


Letter: Posse Comitatus Won’t Save You From The U.S. Military

HJL, The Posse Comitatus Act of 1878 (Pub. L. 18 USC P 1385) was supposed to keep the U.S. Military from enforcing local and federal law, or assisting local law enforcement in that duty. Well before the Posse Comitatus Act was passed, Congress passed the Insurrection Act of 1807 (Pub. L. 10 USC 331 thru 335), which was a “set of laws that govern the ability of the President to deploy U.S. troops on American soil.” Such deployment could only come at the request of a governor of the state in which an event was taking place requiring a larger …


Economics and Investing:

IRS Budget Cuts: Tax Administration v. Tax Handouts – PLC o o o Most new US jobs are in vulnerable industries — food, drink, office temp, transactional stuff like banking, etc. — and it’s hard to see where tomorrow’s debt service payments will come from. o o o Wal-Mart’s ex-CEO Mike Duke joins private equity firm Carlyle. – RBS o o o THE U.S. GOLD MARKET: Completely Insane o o o Meet the latest country with negative interest rates. – S.B.


Odds ‘n Sods:

Obama admin’s “mental defective” gun ban list ensnares mostly military veterans. – D.S. o o o Video: Make a Survival Still for Drinkable Water (improved design). – RBS o o o Images from Texas-Mexico border capture illegal immigrants sneaking into the US. – B.B. o o o Tension Between BLM and Mining Operation, Oath Keepers Set Up Camp. – C.T. o o o The end of the license plate. – G.P.



Notes for Saturday – April 18, 2015

Today, we present another entry for Round 58 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The $12,000+ worth of prizes for this round include: First Prize: A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate, good for any one, two, or three course (a $1,195 value), A course certificate from onPoint Tactical. This certificate will be for the prize winner’s choice of three-day civilian courses. (Excluding those restricted for military or government teams.) Three day onPoint courses normally cost $795, DRD Tactical is providing a 5.56 NATO QD Billet upper with a hammer forged, chromlined barrel and a hard case to go with …


Letter Re: Strike Anywhere Matches

HJL, With all this talk about Strike Anywhere matches, I have to point out the obvious– that’s old technology. If you want to start a fire (anywhere), use a Benzomatic self-igniting torch. Various models are available at big box stores for between $24.97 and $42.97. I’ve used one to start our wood fireplace for about five years before I had to switch out the gas cylinder. You can set soaking wet wood on fire with one. – G.G. HJL Replies: I can see the benefits of using such a device from the home or vehicle. However, when backpacking, it’s tough …