Notes for Wednesday – May 07, 2014

From a SurvivalBlog Reader: New bill would change the definition of an antique firearms to Pre-1914 “Currently, any gun made in 1898 or before is deemed an antique, but the new bill would change that to 1913. This change would be significant because it would increase the number of antique firearms that could be sold and shipped without a Federal Firearm License.” Hmmmm….an original 1911 (built from 1911 – 1913), could cease to exist on BATF paper. What’s NOT to like ? Expect major squawking from “Bloomberg’s Bolsheviks “. – T.Y. JWR Adds: The “Antique” threshold has been artificially frozen …


Beans, Bullets and Band Aids, by Studioman

I have been involved in “prepping” for just under eight years. I received a rude awakening in ’07 when the housing market crashed and my house equity went completely upside down in a matter of days. I discovered my nest egg (my house) SUDDENLY was NOT such a great investment. Also, up until that time, we had been riding high with second trust deeds, earning upwards of 17% at times, using the equity from a HELOC mortgage to buy short-term trust deeds. Needless to say, trust deeds are a very, very high risk investment, so much so that the laws …


Three Letters Re: A Recent Experience On An Ultra-Low Calorie Diet

Hugh, I don’t think it was the calorie restriction which made him suffer those ill effects. I think it was the high soy content of the meals. Despite all the hype about how healthy soy is, the ugly truth is that soy is not that healthy. First, it is highly genetically modified, so it is nowhere near the original cultivated plant. Second, it is a false estrogen and plays havoc with one’s endocrine system. Even in a healthy person with no endocrine (thyroid) problems, that much soy can cause ill effects. I think it was the soy protein messing with …


Economics and Investing:

America’s Decadence Signals End of an Empire o o o Winners and Losers in the Inflation-Deflation Tug of War o o o Items from The Economatrix: The Number Of Working Age Americans Without A Job Has Risen By 27 MILLION Since 2000 The Disappearing Labor Force: Over 800K Americans Drop Out Of Labor Force. Since End Of Recession, Those Not In The Labor Force Has Grown From 80 Million To 92 Million. Workers Younger Than 55 Lost Jobs In April. It’s An Illusion: Here Are the REAL Unemployment Numbers


Odds ‘n Sods:

Todd Savage of Survival Retreat Consulting has launched a new blog: StrategicRelocationBlog.com, in cooperation with well-known preparedness author and lecturer Joel Skousen. I have great respect for both Todd and Joel. Be sure to check it out. – JWR o o o AAPS News May 2014 – Do Doctors Expire in 10 Years?. – H.L. First, the absurdity hit teachers. Now it looks like doctors are next on the list. I have been both a teacher and a medical professional (EMT-B). I can state with first-hand knowledge that I have never had a class (in a classroom) or taken a …



Notes for Tuesday – May 6, 2014

May 6th is the birthday of Tuvia Bielski, born 1906. You may remember him as the main character in the movie Defiance This movie was based on the book Defiance: The Bielski Partisans by Nechama Tec. o o o For those that like Sig Sauers, one of our contest sponsors, Autrey’s Armory, is offering 10% off for any Sig Sauer firearm in stock, and they will throw in the shipping. Just use “SIG10” at the checkout to get the discount. They will run the sale until May 15th. o o o Today we present another entry for Round 52 of …


Using Homeowners Insurance To Replace Lost Prepping Supplies And Retreat, by J.H.

First, I am a licensed insurance agent. I prefer not to mention the companies I represent. However, laws differ from state to state. This article is to educate people how to use their insurance to replace their prepping supplies and retreats when disaster strikes. Terms and Definitions to Know There are some basic terms to know when dealing with insurance. I’ve defined some of these terms into every day language: Actual Cash Value– This is also known as the depreciated value. Think about your roof. If you have 20-year shingles that have been on your house for 11 years and …


Letter Re: Experience With Wells Fargo Safe Deposit Box

Hugh, I noted the post in Economics and Investing on 30 April. I would like to share my experience with Wells Fargo which occurred about 20 years ago. I went in to the branch to access my safe deposit box. After telling me that I had no box, we sorted out that they had made a mistake about deducting my annual fees and closed my account. The next thing they said was that there was no such box. I convinced them that there was such a box, and we went into the vault and the previous location of my box …


Letter Re: Ideas Concerning a Post-Collapse World

Hugh, Considering the important position you have taken as editor on this blog, any post by you should have authoritative backing. I have concerns about parts, 3, 4, and 5 of your post “Response to Ideas Concerning a Post-Collapse World.” Part 3. Usury. Usury is simply a fee for the use of money. Not all religions prohibit it. In Judaism, it is prohibited only in loans of “brothers” to each other, not to outsiders. It is not prohibited in Christianity. Compound interest has a number of uses, including calculating the present value of an amount to be paid in the …


News From The American Redoubt:

Frank Limbs Hernandez, 94, of Eagle, Idaho, passed away peacefully in his sleep on April 21, 2014. He, serving in WWII, Korea, and Vietnam, gave over 30 years of service. He was the oldest living Marine in Idaho to have survived three combat theaters. A true hero. – D.H. o o o 3.8 quake in central Idaho, 2.5 in west Montana | KTVB.COM Boise. – RBS o o o Fourth graders kicked out of school after planning to make fireworks. – RBS o o o Thieves swipe fruit trees from Boise’s first urban orchard



Odds ‘n Sods:

Rare Earthquake Warning Issued for Oklahoma – M.M. o o o I usually don’t get too excited about boycotts, but I may just participate in this one: Oppose Corporations Helping NSA Spying . – B.R. o o o Showing just how fragile the system can be: Spy Plane Fries Air Traffic Control Computers, Shuts Down LAX. – P.M. o o o Raw milk movement grows amid push to ease regulation. This is another one of those issues that just plain makes me mad. I was raised on raw milk from the dairy down the road. The USDA and FDA are …