The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“There is no means by which anyone can evade his personal responsibility. Whoever neglects to examine to the best of his abilities all the problems involved voluntarily surrenders his birthright to a self appointed elite of supermen. In such vital matters blind reliance upon ‘experts’ and uncritical acceptance of popular catchwords and prejudices is tantamount to the abandonment of self-determination and to yielding to other people’s domination. As conditions are today, nothing can be more important to every intelligent man than economics. His own fate and that of his progeny are at stake.” – Ludwig von Mises


Preparedness Notes for Wednesday — August 14, 2024

On August 14, 1040 at the Battle of Bothnagowan, King Duncan I of Scotland (pictured) was killed in battle against his first cousin and rival Macbeth. He was not murdered in his sleep as described in Shakespeare’s play. Macbeth did not succeed Duncan, as King. — August 14th, 1945 was Victory In Japan (“V-J”) Day. — American Gunsmithing Institute (AGI) is one of the long-time prize sponsors of our writing contest. They’ve just announced a new course on DVD (or online) that should be of great interest to SurvivalBlog readers: Survival Gunsmithing. This course has more than 10 hours of …


SurvivalBlog Readers’ & Editors’ Snippets

This weekly Snippets column is a collection of short items: responses to posted articles, practical self-sufficiency items, how-tos, lessons learned, tips and tricks, and news items — both from readers and from SurvivalBlog’s editors. Note that we may select some long e-mails for posting as separate letters. — This video echoes my long-standing advice to my consulting clients on camouflagling aboveground LP/OPs built from repurposed prefabricated concrete cisterns or septic tanks: How To Build The Best Place To Hide! o  o  o Radio Apocalypse: HFGCS, The Backup Plan For Doomsday. o  o  o A WND column by fellow blogger Patrice …



Preparedness Notes for Tuesday — August 13, 2024

On August 13, 1642 Dutch astronomer Christiaan Huygens discovered Mars’ southern polar cap. — Today is the birthday of screenwriter, director, and producer, Alfred Hitchcock (1899–1980). His many films spanned five decades. —- Today is also the birthday of sharpshooter, entertainer, and folk heroine Annie Oakley (1860–1926.) — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 114 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include: First Prize: The photovoltaic power specialists at Quantum Harvest LLC  are providing a store-wide 10% off coupon. Depending on the model chosen, this could be worth more than $2000. …


SurvivalBlog’s News From The American Redoubt

This weekly column features news stories and event announcements from around the American Redoubt region. (Idaho, Montana, eastern Oregon, eastern Washington, and Wyoming.) Much of the region is also more commonly known as The Inland Northwest. We also mention companies located in the American Redoubt region that are of interest to preppers and survivalists. Today, some details on Eastern Montana’s population density and economy.   (See the Montana section.) Idaho US Forest Service firefighter flown to hospital after being struck by tree. o  o  o Paddock Fire burns over 187,000 acres, containment at 5%, evacuations downgraded. o  o  o ‘Hayden Lake …



Preparedness Notes for Monday — August 12, 2024

August 12, 1833, the town of Chicago is incorporated. (Population 350.) On August 12, 1867, President Andrew Johnson defied Congress, suspending Secretary of War Edwin Stanton. And, on August 12, 1908, Henry Ford’s company built the first Model T car. — We are seeking entries for Round 114 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. More than $900,000 worth of prizes have been awarded since we started running this contest. In 2023, we polled blog readers, asking for suggested article topics. Please refer to that poll if you haven’t yet chosen an article topic. Round 114 ends on September 30th, so …




Preparedness Notes for Sunday — August 11, 2024

The Eiger Peak in the Bernese Alps of Switzerland was first summited on August 11, 1858, by an international trio: Christian Almer and Peter Bohren of Switzerland and Charles Barrington of Ireland. — On August 11, 1857, N. H. Wolfe and Company, the oldest flour and grain company in New York City, failed. This failure shook investor confidence and began a slow selloff in the market which continued into late August. Several other failures followed, and this cascaded into what was later called the Panic of 1857. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 114 of …


JWR’s Meme Of The Week:

The latest meme created by JWR: Meme Text: So, Which of These is Worse? Driving Drunk, at 96 M.P.H. in a 55-Zone? Or Deployed War Veteran Exaggeration? Or Rivaling Commie Kammie, for Leftist Views? News Links: Pictured: Tim Walz’s Mugshot From 1995 DUI Arrest. National Guard report refutes Tim Walz’s claim of actually toting war weapons ‘in war’. Tim Walz’s military record, National Guard departure get new scrutiny Tim Walz a ‘coward’ and ‘traitor’ for retiring from military before Iraq, says Guardsman who replaced VP pick. Notes From JWR: Do you have a meme idea? Just e-mail me the concept, …


The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him. But when Jesus knew it, he withdrew himself from thence: and great multitudes followed him, and he healed them all; And charged them that they should not make him known: That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles. He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man …


Preparedness Notes for Saturday — August 10, 2024

On August 10, 1938, a state-record daytime high temperature 119°F (48°C) was recorded in Pendleton, Oregon.  Pictured is the Pendleton Post Office, earlier that same year. — On August 10th, 1984, Red Dawn, the first PG-13 rated movie, starring Patrick Swayze was released. The movie (the 1984 original, not the 2012 remake) is a favorite of both JWR and HJL. The movie embodies the independent, indomitable spirit that created this country. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 114 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include: First Prize: The photovoltaic power …


Editors’ Prepping Progress

To be prepared for a crisis, every Prepper must establish goals and make both long-term and short-term plans. In this column, the SurvivalBlog editors review their week’s prep activities and planned prep activities for the coming week. These range from healthcare and gear purchases to gardening, ranch improvements, bug-out bag fine-tuning, 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 your e-mailed letters. We post many of those — or excerpts thereof — in the Odds …