Survival and Prepping in a Homeowner’s Association, by M.B. – Part 1

As federal, state, local, and county governments reel under the weight of reduced tax revenues, declining productivity, and impossible “unfunded liabilities” (pensions, entitlements and health–welfare services), many communities are only able to continue to operate and maintain their facilities and infrastructure due in whole or in part to self-governed Homeowner Associations (HOAs). “The fastest growing form of housing in the United States today is Common-interest developments (CIDs), a category that includes planned-unit developments of single-family homes, condominiums, and cooperative apartments. Since 1964, homeowner associations have become increasingly common in the USA. The Community Associations Institute trade association estimated that HOAs …


Letter Re: Low Calorie Diet

Hugh, In response to the low calorie diet, I would like to put my wife’s experience as an example. She is allergic to wheat and as such has converted to a paleo diet. Google “paleo” if you have wheat issues. In her case when going off the high sugar, starch, and carb diets she experienced the weak and low energy days too. However, as her body adapted to it in about 3 or four days she felt normal. Your body will adjust and “retool” to the new foods as well as the lower calorie intake. You may not have stayed …


Letter Re: Letter on Harassment of Front Lawn Farmers

HJL, In Victorian times, front lawn vegetable gardens were common, even within towns and villages. The way it was done was to use curving, attractive beds where the vegetables were interplanted with flowers, with the mixed beds surrounding patches of lawn. This can also make for good OPSEC: carrots and cosmos have similar leaves, cherry tomatoes do not require staking and are unobtrusive when interplanted with similarly colored low growing flowers. Lettuces, spinach and other greens can also be gracefully scattered about. Most of the harassment of suburbanites who are farming their front lawns appears to be due to aesthetics. …


Economics and Investing:

Rise of American Expatriation. – Divorcing America. – S.B. o o o The Writing Is On The Wall… And We Should All Read It – H.L. o o o Items from The Economatrix: The Next Shoe Drops Just 2 Days After The Last One IRS Audited Tea Party Donors Ten Times More Often Than Regular Americans “Capital” As Seen By An Austrian Economist


Odds ‘n Sods:

Mayors Feel Misled, Quitting Bloomberg’s Gun-Control Group Comment From JWR: I hate to sound so endlessly perturbed about millionaire former Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s flawed political plaything called Mayors Against Illegal Guns, but the whole concept of his cabal really grates me. Granted, mayors are entitled to hold personal opinions, but that is not what they are elected to do. They are public servants hired to administrate legislation and rulings from city councils, who represent the will of their masters, the voters. They are NOT legislators. They are paid administrators elected to do our bidding. They are not tasked with envisioning …



Notes for Tuesday – May 13, 2014:

Today we present another entry for Round 52 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 $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 Mountain House freeze dried assorted entrees in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources (a $350 value), A $300 gift …


Trades for Surviving After the Collapse, by A.W.

1

You have been preparing for the unknown– economic collapse, social unrest, nuclear war, or even just a downsize at work– for quite awhile now. Perhaps you are feeling confident in your ability to survive a catastrophic event by putting to use your survival know-how and stores of food. You even learned valuable gardening skills that will ensure your long-term survival. Now, imagine what life will be like after the collapse for which you have diligently prepared. You will be surviving, but will you be thriving? You will be eating, but will you be contributing to the rebuilding of your region …


Five Letters Re: The Circular File

Sir, I have apparently been selected to participate in the U.S. Censes Health of America survey. The other day a representative showed up at my door. I had previously received a letter, which I filed in a certain circular file. I politely told the representative I did not wish to participate. She was very insistent. After she saw I would not budge, I was threatened with “hounding until I submitted.” I could not believe it. All I could say was “Yeah, well that’s what lawyers are for, huh.” Has any other reader been threatened with this? Is this part of …


News From The American Redoubt:

North Idaho Heat (Eden Acres, LLC) offers a great many self-sufficient and off-grid items including Blaze King Wood Stoves (which do not need electricity), Morso (a really great non-electric pellet stove), and The WiseWay among others. If you’re near downtown Bonners Ferry, check it out in the Old Creamery Building beside the post office. www.northidahoblaze.com. o o o Rhonda sent in this website to The Woodsman’s Shop, also located in Bonners Ferry. The primary focus is to stock quality items (mostly knives) rather than the barely functional import products. o o o Is Montana the Next Big Data Hub?. – …


Economics and Investing:

This Will Trigger Massive Crisis & Panic All Over The World o o o One in 10 Americans don’t carry paper money anymore – G.G. o o o Items from The Economatrix: Roubini: We’re At The Very Start Of A Credit Bubble Long-Term Jobless Still More Than One-Third Of Unemployed Geithner Says Efforts To End Too-Big-To-Fail Are ‘Misguided’ Efforts to deal with corruption are never misguided. Congress May Raise Bar For A Bank To Qualify As ‘Systemically Important’ To $100 billion If it fails because of corruption and mismanagement, it should still fail. It’s obvious the really big guys who …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Obama’s ATF is planning a nationwide gun registry. – B.B. o o o A Primer to the Clothing the New England Patriots of 1775 Wore. Interesting read on types of clothing, uniforms, and social norms concerning civilian and military dress as well as grooming during the time of the Revolution. – T.P. o o o Climate Change Debate: A Famous Scientist Becomes a Skeptic – A.D. o o o Video: Travelling security: Defeat Dishonest Baggage Handlers. – A.D. You will be amazed and completely disturbed by how easy it is to break into luggage and leave no trace. If you …



Notes for Monday – May 12, 2014:

A couple of noteworthy sales are going on right now: Camping Survivalis offering a 7% discount. Note that this sale is on all items across the board, and they are already known for low-markup! o o o Your chance to save 25-60% on Mountain House items at Ready Made Resources is ending soon, and they will mix and match cases. Make sure you visit their website to check it out.


Guest Article: Evil Exists, by L.A.

When I was young, it was a whisper you heard in the school hallways or some television news story that you overheard your parents talking about. As children, we still played outside, rode our bicycles or skateboards all over town, and only came home right as the streetlights were coming on. There wasn’t really anything to be afraid of. Whatever evil there was back then, it at least stayed hidden in the shadows most of the time. Not anymore. Today’s world is something completely different. Evil is rampant and is increasingly seeking notoriety. More and more children are going missing, …