Round 53 Non-Fiction Writing Contest Winners Announced!

We have completed Round 53 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest! First Prize goes to M.H. for “Killing, Dying, and Death – Part I” and “Part II”, which was posted on Sunday July 27 and Tuesday July 29, 2014. He will receive the following prizes: 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, Two cases of …


Two Letters Re: Killing, Dying, and Death

The article brings topics that ring very true in my mind. Having served years ago but not in combat, I realize how important the trust is of your fellow soldiers and their need to trust you. It can not be stressed more that you will never know for sure of that trust until the “chips are down”, as they say. (Watch “The Pacific” dvd series based on the book The Old Breed. It will give anyone uninitiated a glimpse of the physical and psychological horrors of war.) I have come to peace with myself and God with the fact of …


Economics and Investing:

Horrifying Worldwide Financial Destruction To Shock Investors. – J.W. o o o The Never-Ending ‘Recovery’ o o o Welcome To The NEW DARK AGE. – S.S. o o o Video and Text: The 20% market correction has already started, CDV o o o Asset Forfeiture – How To Steal Americans’ Hard Earned Cash With Zero Repercussions. – DSV


Odds ‘n Sods:

Our friend Tam over at the View From The Porch blog mentioned this amazing wingsuit video. o o o This Is What Is Going To Happen If Ebola Comes To America. – B.B. o o o Ebola outbreak may already be uncontrollable. – A.D. o o o Homeland Security Report Confirms Diseases Spreading at Border Facilities. – JBG o o o California drought: ‘May have to migrate people’. – G.P. o o o An excellent treatise on people willingly allowing themselves to be oppressed. Video: The End of Oppression – Part 2: The Game – B.B.



Notes for Thursday – July 31, 2014

July 31st is the 94th birthday of Army Air Corps veteran David Thatcher, one of just three living Doolittle Raiders. He lives in Missoula, Montana. Those interested in learning more about America’s First strike against Japan should read “The Doolittle Raid”. July 31st is also the birthday of free market economist Milton Freidman, who was born in 1912 and died November 16, 2006. o o o Today we present another entry for Round 53 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The $11,000+ worth of prizes for this round include: First Prize: A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate, good for …


Survival or Sustenance Gardening, by D. B. Prepper

I’ve had a garden on and off again over the past 30 years, depending on where I lived, whom I was married to at the time, and whether or not my job allowed me to be at home frequently enough to care for it. So I have followed the recent spate of gardening posts with some interest, especially those who have struggled to start a garden. I thought I would take an opportunity to add my own two cents on how to create a garden that can support you and your family in good times or bad. It’s a Learning …


Three Letters Re: Killing, Dying, and Death

This was very well written and made salient points about mindset, which is the one issue that could nullify all physical preps in the future, if we don’t address it now. I am glad M.H. returned safely and decided to raise a family. – D.D. o o o Bless you M.H. for your candor and honesty. Most people cannot imagine the sights, sounds, and smells of war and death. Without that, experience is only imaginings. Nothing changes a person like “seeing the elephant”. It is a personal experience for each. There is not a right or wrong way. It is …


Economics and Investing:

Average Price of Electricity Climbs to All-Time Record o o o Don’t be fooled, all is not well for stocks – CDV o o o Items from Mr. Econocobas: 85 Super Wealthy People Have More Money Than The Poorest 3.5 Billion Combined Greenspan Says Stocks to See ‘Significant Correction’ QE And ZIRP Have Failed To Lift Main Street, But Withdrawal Of The Monetary Heroin Will Be Brutal U.S. 2nd Quarter GDP First Estimates at 4%


Odds ‘n Sods:

America’s Militia Movement is Back From the Dead – H.L. o o o UK police to start seizing drivers’ mobile phones after all crashes. – T.P. o o o Paying Ransoms, Europe Bankrolls Qaeda Terror. – P.M. o o o Mom Arrested for Letting 7-Year-Old Son Walk to Park Alone. – D.S. o o o In boiling hot suits with silent death lurking everywhere and the fear that a mistake could be fatal: Doctors give a gripping insight into their battle in the crucible of the biggest Ebola outbreak in history. – B.B.



Notes for Wednesday – July 30, 2014

Today, we 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 non-fiction articles for Mel Tappan’s P.S. Letter. o o o Today, we present another entry for Round 53 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The $11,000+ 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 …


Prepping During the Calm After the Storm, by D.L.

One of the hardest things to do in prepping, especially if you were inspired by a specific incident or disaster, is to maintain your preps long after the initial threat seems to have faded away. There’s an initial burst of energy and acquisition of skills; then there is a slow fade and then a rapid fade. Eventually, something will happen, and you will find yourself unprepared again. It’s a bit like dieting before your high school reunion. Then, once the reunion is over, trying to keep your diet going but allowing yourself a weekly cheat day, then adding a cheat …


Letter Re: NYC Chokehold

Hugh, The man resisted arrest. Do you think he was right to do that? Don’t you agree he had other options, like complying, and he exercised a poor one? Is it the officer’s fault he’s obese and at great health risk before he was contacted? Do you or anyone else expect any officer intending to make an arrest to change their mind because you disagree? The suspect, God have mercy on him, did the wrong thing. When you do the wrong thing, you end up with undesirable results. Those officers effected the arrest of a much larger man by the …


Economics and Investing:

Richard Russell – I’m Afraid We Will See Blood In The Streets – J.W. o o o Items from Mr. Econocobas: 1 In 3 U.S. Adults Have ‘Debt In Collections’ Why The 10-Year Treasury Could Yield 4% By Thanksgiving Use Of The Word ‘Bubble’ Reaches Worrying Levels Japan’s Retail Sales Drop in Challenge to Abe Reflation- This is Economic Lunacy