Preparedness Notes for Sunday — July 2, 2023

On July 2nd, 2002 American adventurer Steve Fossett became the first balloonist to circumnavigate the world alone. And in 2005 he completed the first nonstop solo global flight in an airplane. And on July 2nd, 1937 aviator Amelia Earhart and navigator Fred Noonan disappeared over the Pacific Ocean while attempting to make the first round-the-world flight at the equator. — We are still seeking entries for Round 107 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. More than $825,000 worth of prizes have been awarded since we started running this contest. We recently polled blog readers, asking for suggested article topics. Refer …


The Long View of a Brewing Conservative Backlash

America has been on the path of self-destruction for four generations. Since the end of the Second World War, feminized socialists have gradually gained sociopolitical control of the United States.  The left-wing radicals of the 1960s and 1970s are now in their senior years and they hold the reins of power in our society.  Those hippies who said:  “Never trust anyone over 30” and who complained about “The Man”, now are The Man. They control academia, the mass media, both major political parties, urban law enforcement, labor unions, most Fortune 1,000 corporate Boards of Directors, and some mainline church hierarchies. …


JWR’s Meme Of The Week:

The latest meme created by JWR:   Meme Text: The Rationality Venn Diagram: Kamala Harris Outside of Reason, Logic, and Observable Truth News Links: NBC News poll: Kamala Harris hits record low for VP net favorability. SkyNews Australia:  Kamala Harris’ laugh is the ‘biggest, destructive, negative force’ in American politics ever. Kamala Harris doesn’t even understand why she is unpopular. Harris bashed for bragging that Biden has lowered electricity and heating bills: ‘Alternate reality’. Kamala Harris Just Can’t Stop Laughing (And Scaring People) The most awkward and embarrassing Kamala Harris ‘word salads’ of 2022. — Note From JWR: Do you …


The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due …


Preparedness Notes for Saturday — July 1, 2023

On July 1st, 1997, the crown colony of Hong Kong officially reverted to Chinese sovereignty, ending 156 years of British rule. There have been sporadic protests by locals there, ever since. July 1st, 1535, Sir Thomas More went on trial for treason for refusing to accept King Henry VIII as head of the Church of England. And on July 1st, 1863 is the anniversary of the beginning of the Civil War Battle of Gettysburg. — Several of our affiliate advertisers, including Brownells, Ready Made Resources, GunMag Warehouse, Palmetto State Armory, and Federal Premium are running Independence Day sales, until July …


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 ‘n …


The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“Ye shall give three cities on this side Jordan, and three cities shall ye give in the land of Canaan, which shall be cities of refuge. These six cities shall be a refuge, both for the children of Israel, and for the stranger, and for the sojourner among them: that every one that killeth any person unawares may flee thither. And if he smite him with an instrument of iron, so that he die, he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death. And if he smite him with throwing a stone, wherewith he may die, and …


Preparedness Notes for Friday — June 30, 2023

June 30th is the 10th anniversary of the tragic death of 19 hotshots in the Yarnell Hill Fire, in 2013. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 107 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. A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate. This can be used for any of their one, two, or three-day course (a $1,095 value), Two cases of Mountain …


Economics & Investing For Preppers

Here are the latest news items and commentary on current economics news, market trends, stocks, investing opportunities, and the precious metals markets. In this column, JWR also covers hedges, derivatives, and various obscura. This column emphasizes JWR’s “tangibles heavy” investing strategy and contrarian perspective. Today, we look at American consumer debt. (See the Economy & Finance section.) Precious Metals: Some market analysis by Frank Holmes: Gold SWOT: Barrick Gold has become noticeably fixated on copper. o  o  o Kelsey Williams, at Gold-Eagle.com: It Was Never About Gold – Always About the Dollar. Economy & Finance: Living in the red: Average American …


The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“The great sorting is the way forward. There is no national cultural consensus. In fact, the moral visions of red [state] and blue [state] America are now diametric opposites that cannot coexist. Permanent Washington is so thoroughly corrupt and broken that no one, not even a capable leader like Ron DeSantis, will likely be able to repair it. Many have discussed the possibility of national divorce, which I think is unlikely in the near future, but the great sorting can happen now and is happening now. The left has made it impossible for red America to exist in blue states …


Preparedness Notes for Thursday — June 29, 2023

During a performance of William Shakespeare‘s Henry VIII on this day in 1613, the Globe Theatre was destroyed within an hour after its thatch was accidentally set aflame by a cannon marking the king’s entrance onstage. Shown is a model of the theater and surrounding buildings, circa 1612. The original theater building is now thought to have been a 20-sided polygon. — Federal Premium (one of our affiliate advertisers), is beginning an Independence Day Sale, with some great discounts on their ammunition — rifle, pistol, and shotgun. Federal offers free shipping on orders over $149. They even have a custom …


The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods

SurvivalBlog presents another edition of The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods. This column is a collection of news bits and pieces that are relevant to the modern survivalist and prepper from JWR. Our goal is to educate our readers, to help them to recognize emerging threats, and to be better prepared for both disasters and negative societal trends. You can’t mitigate a risk if you haven’t first identified a risk. In today’s column, we look at plans for a universal digital passport. The Everything Passport: DHS Outlines Digital ID Initiative A recent headline: DHS Outlines Digital ID Initiative For “Travel, Immigration …



Preparedness Notes for Wednesday — June 28, 2023

June 28th, 1703 was the birthday of theologian John Wesley. He was a leader of a revival movement within the Church of England known as Methodism. He died on March 2nd, 1791. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 107 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. A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate. This can be used for any of their …


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. — “No folding knives will get into Canada”: CBSA New Approach Big Problem. JWR’s Comments:  The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) now has another reason to harass travelers.  This nonsensical one-handed folding knife ban law parallels Germany’s Einhandmesser restrictions. (Fast forward to the 9:15-mark, for the English version of Joerg Sprave’s explanatory video.) …