Pen Names and SurvivalBlog Forums

Two of the most frequent questions that I get from SurvivalBlog readers are why I assign pen names to writers even when not asked to do so, and why I don’t have an official SurvivalBlog forum. I’ll explain both: Pen Names I assign a nom de plume to protect your identity. This is standard practice with my blog, especially with controversial topics.  Please pick your own pen names that are unique. I suggest that you use random pen names each time that you send something to post that is controversial. Also, be advised that if you pick something common (like …


Letter Re: TOR and the Onion Networks

The Onion Routing (TOR or Tor) project is one of the best ways to stay anonymous on the web. The project was initially funded by the Navy, but over a few years evolved into a non-profit organization. The goal of the TOR project is twofold: to allow for the anonymous browsing of the internet, and to allow people to connect to the .onion network. This is a basic illustration of how it works is this. Lets say every internet site you visit is a store front in a basic town. You go in and out of stores in the daylight. …


Economics and Investing:

You might not have noticed that the US Dollar Index has been falling recently. (At 74.77, the last time I checked.) Hmmmm… With all the turmoil with the EU periphery, common sense would dictate that the US Dollar should be appreciating rapidly versus the Euro. But it isn’t. So what is the real story, behind the news? I suspect that the US Dollar is in for some very deep trouble in the next few months. Steven M. sent this from Zero Hedge: After Dumping 30% of its Treasury Holdings in Half a Year, Russia Warns it Will Continue Selling US …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Reader J.L. has very kindly expanded my “List of Lists” spreadsheet. It is now available for free download. (Note that this spreadsheet and the information contained therein are for your personal, non-commercial use only–not for re-posting or re-publishing in any from. This is copyrighted material. All rights reserved.)    o o o In the past 24 hours, I’ve heard from several AOL users who have mentioned that they’ve been unable to access SurvivalBlog. The problem is with AOL site, not at our server. Please try re-launching your browser and/or re-starting your computer.  If that doesn’t work, then try using either …


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

"There is no crime more infamous than the violation of truth. It is apparent that men can be social beings no longer than they believe each other. When speech is employed only as the vehicle of falsehood, every man must disunite himself from others, inhabit his own cave and seek prey only for himself." – Dr. Samuel Johnson


Note from JWR:

Today we present another entry for Round 35 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include: First Prize: A.) 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, and B.) Two cases of Alpine Aire freeze dried assorted entrees in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources. (A $400 value.) C.) A 9-Tray Excalibur Food Dehydrator from Safecastle.com (a $275 value), D.) A $250 gift certificate from Sunflower Ammo , and …


The Art of Getting Home, by Shattered

So you have successfully prepped for every possible SHTF or TEOTWAWKI situation, your house is completely off grid, you’ve stockpiled enough chow to feed you and everyone you know for three full years and you have amassed a huge arsenal of assault weapons and ammunition that is sufficient to put even your toddler in tactical gear, body armor and small arms for the next ten years of sustained combat operations. Everything should be good to go right? So you’re sitting at work in your suit and tie and TEOTWAWKI just pops off, maybe it’s a rain of ICBMs hitting major …


Letter Re: Protecting Your Assets With an LLC

James, One of your SurvivalBlog Glossary entries deserves some comment. A Limited Liability Company (LLC) gives you as much or more protection from liability as a corporation, but passes profit through to your personal taxes like a 1099 independent or a subchapter S corp.  However, unlike a corporation, once you file your ‘Articles of Organization,’  in most states your LLC has no more paperwork requirements some states require an annual status report, but it is solely for informational purposes and has nothing to do with the IRS or other government agencies except to notify the IRS how you choose to …


Economics and Investing:

Ron Paul: Federal Reserve’s Addiction. (Thanks to C.D.V. for the link.) Sue C. sent us this: Greek Default Would Spell ‘Havoc’ for Banks. KAF flagged this: Russia to Lower U.S. Debt Holdings John T. recommended this analysis by Martin W. Armstrong: Greece: Its Time to Default Before Civil War Breaks Out Items from The Economatrix: Gold And Silver Still Great Investments in Inflation, Stagflation, And Deflation The Systematic Financial Pillaging of the Middle Class Unemployment Falls in Fewer than Half US States


Odds ‘n Sods:

For folks interested in using the new Bitcoin digital currency, check out the free information and graphics at: BitcoinResource.com    o o o Steven M. sent us this: Home Security – The four levels of home fortification    o o o Apparently a minnow trap is a very effective trap for snakes as well!  (Thanks to M.E. for the link.)    o o o I heard that there are still a few copies of the limited autographed edition of Mike Williamson’s upcoming novel “Rogue” available.  (As a reservation, in advance of publication.) Readers will either need to contact Uncle Hugo’s …



Pat’s Product Reviews: Mil-Tac Knives & Tools M3 Tactical Folders

Many folks aren’t aware of Mil-Tac Knives & Tools, but they’ve been around for about six years now. Mil-Tac is owned and operated by Craig Sword, and I’ve known Sword since before he started Mil-Tac, when he was with another knife company. I’m happy to report, that I had a hand in helping Craig get Mil-Tac up and running. That’s not to say, I helped him physically start his company. Instead, Craig and I spent many, many hours on the phone discussing the idea of him starting-up a new knife company, and which direction it should go. I appreciate Sword’s faith in me …


Letter Re: COMSEC, Bitcoin, and Ironkey Thumb Drives

James, I took notice of the malware warning in your blog regarding  Bitcoin and some of the suggestions to thwart it. I’d like to throw my 2 cents in and suggest your readers check out  ironkey.com Ironkey makes a thumb drive that is like no other device on the market. I just bought one and I love it. I will describe what it does and why your readers may want to consider getting one as part of their COMSEC arsenal. I purchased the 16 GB model and the cost including delivery was $228. Yes, that is expensive, but wait until …


Letter Re: Gluten Free Food Storage

Letter Re: Gluten Free Food Storage Hi JWR,   I just got done packing away a bunch of pasta this afternoon, and looked at the latest SurvivalBlog posts and read the Gluten Free Food Storage article by Cassandra.  Funny thing is, I was long-term packing gluten free rice pasta in Mylar bags with O2 absorbers.  I couldn’t find what I wanted anywhere else, so I did it myself.  Maybe what I just learned this past hour will help someone else wanting to pack away some pasta.  Here’s what I used: Trader Joe’s Organic Brown Rice Pasta (Fusilli, Penne, and Spaghetti)  We used to eat …


Economics and Investing:

Reader J.H.B. suggested: Its Weight in Gold: The Real Prices of Things by Charles Vollum Trading Of Over The Counter [FOREX] Gold And Silver To Be Illegal Beginning July 15 Record Corn Harvests Can’t Meet World Demand. (Thanks to Steven M. for the link.) Kevin S. recommended this: Unlocking the Mayor Badge of Meaninglessness “The Toon” sent us this: Are We Running Out of Silver? Items from The Economatrix: Greek Crisis Could Send World Markets Into Turmoil Greece Nears Point of No Return In a Currency Tug-of-War, the U.S. Dollar Loses MERS Does Not Have The Right to Foreclose on …