Author Archives: James Wesley Rawles

The Editors’ Preps for the Week

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To be prepared for a crisis, every Prepper must establish goals and make long-term and short-term plans. Steadily, we work on meeting our prepping goals. In this column, the SurvivalBlog editors review their week’s prep activities. They also share their planned prep activities for the coming week. These range from healthcare and gear purchases to gardening, property improvements, and food storage. This is something akin to our Retreat Owner Profiles, but written incrementally and in detail, throughout the year. We always welcome you to share your own successes and wisdom in the Comments. Let’s keep busy and be ready!

JWR

Dear SurvivalBlog Readers,
This week we had some beautiful, beautiful fall weather followed by a huge windy rainstorm that caused many in our region to lose power for about 12 hours; We’ve had continual rain since that day. Whenever we lose … Continue reading →


Economics & Investing For Preppers

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Here are the latest items and commentary on current economics news, market trends, stocks, investing opportunities, and the precious metals markets. We also cover hedges, derivatives, and obscura. And it bears mention that most of these items are from the “tangibles heavy” contrarian perspective of JWR. (SurvivalBlog’s Founder and Senior Editor.) Today’s focus is on ancient coins.  The accompanying photo shows how many ancient coin hoards look, when first excavated. (See the Tangibles Investing section, near the end of this column.)

Precious Metals:

First up, at FX Empire: Silver Price Forecast October 18, 2017, Technical Analysis

o o o

Despite some recent attempts at import controls, the wedding gift demand in India is a key determiner of the price of gold: Diwali sales have been up 15-20%: ORRA

Stocks:

Next, we read: Less than 18 pct of global stocks … Continue reading →


Economics & Investing For Preppers

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Mexico city Smog

Here are the latest items and commentary on current economics news, market trends, stocks, investing opportunities, and the precious metals markets. We also cover hedges, derivatives, and obscura. And it bears mention that most of these items are from the “tangibles heavy” contrarian perspective of JWR. (SurvivalBlog’s Founder and Senior Editor.) Today’s focus is on Urbanization. (See the Troubling Trends section, near the end of this column.)

Stocks:

Bloomberg reports: Old Wall Street Is Losing the Battle Beneath the Surface of ETFs

Commodities:

Next, Nick Cunningham opines: Chinese EV Boom Could Crash Oil Prices

 

Economy and Finance:

On to this: White House Says Corporate Tax Cut Would Boost Wages $4,000

o o o

Yellen Calls Inflation the ‘Biggest Surprise’ in the Economy. JWR’s Comments:  Some of us are not so surprised.  In fact some of us are … Continue reading →


JWR’s Recommendations of the Week

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Sig P320 Trigger Group

Here are JWR’s Recommendations of the Week for various media and tools of interest to SurvivalBlog readers. This week the focus is on 80% complete SIG P320 trigger groups. (See the Gear section, near the end of this column.)

Books:

Claire Wolfe reports: The sale is on at Paladin Press. Presently the discount is 55% off their entire book inventory. (The company is shutting its doors at the end of the year. Even deeper discounts are promised, as their inventory dwindles.)

o o o

Store This, Not That!: The Quick and Easy Food Storage Guide

o o o

Grant. This is a biography of the U.S. Civil War General, by Rod Chernow.  I have not yet read this book, but I have read his excellent earlier biography: Washington: A Life. (That was a Pulitzer Prize winning book, and … Continue reading →


SurvivalBlog’s News From The American Redoubt

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Here is SurvivalBlog’s News From The American Redoubt. This weekly column features news stories and event announcements from around the American Redoubt region. We also mention companies of interest to preppers that are located in the region. The emphasis this week is on the relocation of U.S. Optics to The American Redoubt. (See the Montana section of this column.)

Idaho

Jury finds Jonathan Renfro, man accused of killing police sergeant, guilty of first degree murder

o o o

Neighbors furious after F&G officer kills ‘pet’ deer

Montana (U.S. Optics)

In addition to a plethora of gun makers, the Redoubt region now has several firearms optics makers. Perhaps best well-known is Nightforce Optics, headquartered in Orofino, Idaho.  The latest on the scene is U.S. Optics, in Kalispell, Montana.  For some details … Continue reading →


The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods:

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SurvivalBlog presents another edition of The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods— a collection of news bits and pieces that are relevant to the modern survivalist and prepper. Today the focus is on GPS receivers.

Another Senseless GPS Mishap

Our friend Commander Zero over at the great Notes From The Bunker blog had a link to a familiar story:  Yet another motorist stranded because of their foolish faith in GPS technology:  The Latest: Couple who survived six days in Utah. JWR’s Comment: [[[Sarcasm on]]] How many times does this have to happen before Congress finally takes action and bans the evil assault GPS technology? GPS receivers can be bought on the street without any background checks and can be easily concealed.  They often get into the hands of children. Only the police and military should be trusted to have GPS technology. [[[Sarcasm off]]]

… Continue reading →


Economics & Investing For Preppers

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Here are the latest items and commentary on current economics news, market trends, stocks, investing opportunities, and the precious metals markets. We also cover hedges, derivatives, and obscura. And it bears mention that most of these items are from the “tangibles heavy” contrarian perspective of JWR. (SurvivalBlog’s Founder and Senior Editor.) Today’s focus is on investing in Rolex wristwatches. (See the Tangibles Investing section, near the end of this column.)

Precious Metals:

Spot gold has bounced back to around $1,300 per troy ounce.  But the price of silver is more like to break out.

o o o

Peter Hug comments on Rhodium: Forget Bitcoin – Is This Overlooked Metal Heading Straight Back to $10,000?

Stocks:

First off, there is this: Dow, S&P 500 and Nasdaq hit record highs as Wall Street bets … Continue reading →


The Editors’ Preps for the Week

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13 Comments
KDG optics housing

To be prepared for a crisis, every Prepper must establish goals and make long-term and short-term plans. Steadily, we work on meeting our prepping goals. In this column, the SurvivalBlog editors review their week’s prep activities. They also share their planned prep activities for the coming week. These range from healthcare and gear purchases to gardening, property improvements, and food storage. This is something akin to our Retreat Owner Profiles, but written incrementally and in detail, throughout the year. We always welcome you to share your own successes and wisdom in the Comments. Let’s keep busy and be ready!

JWR

Dear SurvivalBlog Readers,

This week, while celebrating the Feast of Tabernacles, things have been fairly quiet at the Rawles Ranch.  Most of the week was devoted to homeschooling.

Jim completed assembling a couple of AR-15 PDW-style pistols, using 11.5″ 5.56mm Wylde chamber … Continue reading →


Economics & Investing For Preppers

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3 Comments

Here are the latest items and commentary on current economics news, market trends, stocks, investing opportunities, and the precious metals markets. We also cover hedges, derivatives, and obscura. And it bears mention that most of these items are from the “tangibles heavy” contrarian perspective of JWR. (SurvivalBlog’s Founder and Senior Editor.) Today’s focus is on the economic predictions of money manager Michael Pento. (See the Stocks and Bonds section, near the top of this column.)

Precious Metals:

First, at Seeking Alpha: Germans Have Quietly Become The World’s Biggest Buyers Of Gold

o o o

Clive Maund: Silver Market Update

Stocks and Bonds (Michael Pento):

Next, here is a Greg Hunter video interview that is well worth watching: Michael Pento – Crazy Stock Market Will Crash. Pento is predicting a crash in 2018 because of the Central Banks will become … Continue reading →


Economics & Investing For Preppers

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6 Comments
Yak

Here are the latest items and commentary on current economics news, market trends, stocks, investing opportunities, and the precious metals markets. We also cover hedges, derivatives, and obscura. And it bears mention that most of these items are from the “tangibles heavy” contrarian perspective of JWR. (SurvivalBlog’s Founder and Senior Editor.) Today’s focus is on raising Tibetan Yaks. (See the Tangibles Investing section, near the end of this column.)

Precious Metals:

First, over at Seeking Alpha: Has Gold Found A Bottom?

o o o

At MarketRealist: What Led to the Slump in Precious Metals on October 2?

Stocks:

Over at the leftist New York Post: Trump’s insane Dow Jones rally just keeps going. JWR’s Comment: President DJT’s rally is actually just a continuation of President BHO’s rally. This was all created by artificially low interest rates.  This cannot go on forever without seeing … Continue reading →


JWR’s Recommendations of the Week

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Here are JWR’s Recommendations of the Week for various media and tools of interest to SurvivalBlog readers. This week the focus is on raccoon traps. (See the Gear section, near the end of this column.)

Books:

Killing England: The Brutal Struggle for American Independence (Bill O’Reilly’s Killing Series)

o o o

Bushcraft 101: A Field Guide to the Art of Wilderness Survival

 

Movies and Television:

Passengers

o o o

Blade Runner: The Final Cut – Blu-ray

 


SurvivalBlog’s News From The American Redoubt

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loose packed ammo

Here is SurvivalBlog’s News From The American Redoubt. This weekly column features news stories and event announcements from around the American Redoubt region. We also mention companies of interest to preppers that are located in the region. The emphasis this week is on B.A.S.E.  Camp USA

Idaho (B.A.S.E.  Camp USA)

I recently heard about an ammo loading company in Idaho.  It is called B.A.S.E. Camp USA. They make a wide range of ammunition–both newly manufactured and reloaded. The majority of their offerings are handgun calibers. They even make special subsonic loads. They recently opened a third retail store at 415 South Challis Street, in Salmon, Idaho. Their other stores are in Post Falls, Idaho, and in Murray, Utah. They also sell their loaded ammunition through distributors, and directly to the public at gun shows throughout the Intermountain West region.  At their … Continue reading →


The Legislative Entrepreneur: Investing in Some Key AR Parts

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TacCon 3MR trigger

Binary Triggers In Your Future?

The recent terrorist attack in Las Vegas is spurring Federal lawmakers to introduce new legislation. These laws would ban any device or combination of parts that can “accelerate” the rate of fire of a semi-automatic firearm. This includes bumpfire stocks, Gat Crank triggers, Autoburst trigger, Hellfire and other gadget triggers, binary triggers, light match grade triggers, and 3 mode triggers. Sadly, the U.S. National Rifle Association (NRA) gave up on this issue without a fight less than a week after the tragic massacre.  This means that there is now a strong likelihood that some legislation will be passed within a month. Once passed, I suspect that it will be signed by President Trump and possibly go into effect on or before January 1st, 2018. The clock is ticking, folks!

In my blog writings, I’ve often mentioned the futility of  so-called “gun control” … Continue reading →


Economics & Investing For Preppers

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1 Comment
Economics and Investing

Here are the latest items and commentary on current economics news, market trends, stocks, investing opportunities, and the precious metals markets. We also cover hedges, derivatives, and obscura. And it bears mention that most of these items are from the “tangibles heavy” contrarian perspective of JWR. (SurvivalBlog’s Founder and Senior Editor.) Today’s focus is on investing in binary triggers.  (See the Tangibles Investing  section.)

Precious Metals:

To begin, at Gold-Eagle News: Gold Prices This Week And Next Week’s Forecast.

o o o

Gold rebounds above 2-month low on North Korean concerns

Stocks:

Breakout – Value Line Geometric Index. The article begins: “The Value Line Geometric Index ($XVG) is an equal weighting of all the stocks on the NYSE. It has been consolidating sideways for almost 20 years. In the last several months it has broken out to the upside. … Continue reading →


The NRA Has Capitulated on Banning Fast-Firing Semi-Autos

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NRA Logo

Bump Fire Stocks Legislation

The U.S. National Rifle Association (NRA) just caved in on the issue of fast-firing semi-autos. On Thursday, they issued a public statement that encouraged bump fire stocks legislation. It said in part:

“In the aftermath of the evil and senseless attack in Las Vegas…”[lots deleted]

“…Despite the fact that the Obama administration approved the sale of bump fire stocks on at least two occasions, the National Rifle Association is calling on the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (BATFE) to immediately review whether these devices comply with federal law. The NRA believes that devices designed to allow semi-automatic rifles to function like fully-automatic rifles should be subject to additional regulations…”

This sort of panicked wholesale capitulation to the mainstream media’s demands will surely cause a cascade of executive orders and/or Federal legislation.

My Objections

I have some huge … Continue reading →