SurvivalBlog Readers’ & Editors’ Snippets

This weekly column is a collection of short snippets: 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. We may select some long e-mails for posting as separate letters. — Biden says US spending billions to make military vehicles ‘climate friendly’. JWR’s Comments: This is the most insane pronouncement that I’ve ever seen from a national leader. Almost predictably, Biden issued this order in honor of Earth Day. The raison d’être of a modern, mobile military force is the certain ability to decisively move and …



Preparedness Notes for Tuesday — April 26, 2022

On April 26, 1986, one of the world’s worst nuclear accidents occurred at the Chernobyl plant in the Ukrainian portion of the USSR. An explosion and fire in the No. 4 reactor sent radioactivity into the atmosphere; at least 31 Soviets died immediately. JWR’s Comments: I was unfortunately a Chernobyl down-winder. You see, I was TDY with the 2nd M.I. Battalion at Stuttgart Army Airfield that spring, working live Guardrail intel missions. After the Soviet reactor went kablooey, we were all lied to by both the West German government and the U.S. Army. They later revealed that they had downplayed …


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 of interest to preppers and survivalists that are located in the American Redoubt region. Today, the emphasis is on the influx of newcomers to The American Redoubt and the resulting trends in the real estate market. Region-Wide Rural Leftists Complain About Influx of Conservatives Fleeing Blue States. o  o  o “I have mixed feelings” | Post Falls adjusts to population …


The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“Before the formation of this Constitution, it had been affirmed as a self-evident truth, in the declaration of Independence, very deliberately made by the Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled that, “all men are created equal, and are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights.” This declaration of Independence was received and ratified by all the States in the Union and has never been disannulled. May we not from hence conclude, that the doctrine of Liberty and Equality is an article in the political creed of the United States.” – Samuel Adams


Preparedness Notes for Monday — April 25, 2022

Today is the birthday of physicist, inventor, and entrepreneur Guglielmo Marconi (1874–1937). He was known for his pioneering work on long-distance radio transmission as well as for the development of Marconi’s Law and a radio telegraph system. He is often considered the inventor of radio. — Here is a news listing over ay our SurvivalRealty.com spin-off: Private Retreat in Central Idaho RARE FIND! Peaceful Paradise!  In Kooskia, Idaho!!!  This tidy 3br/2 bath home is tastefully decorated, open and bright. Large eat-in kitchen with lots of custom handcrafted cabinets. Newer appliances, Huge wood crafted deck for outdoor living. Attached garage/workshop. Also …


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. We also cover hedges, derivatives, and obscura. Most of these items are from the “tangibles heavy” contrarian perspective of SurvivalBlog’s Founder and Senior Editor, JWR. Today, we look at rising inflation in Germany. (See the Inflation Watch section.) Precious Metals: I took advantage of the dip in silver and gold last week to buy another 20 ounces of .999 silver 1-ounce rounds.  Buy on the dips. If you don’t then you’ll kick yourself, once the spot prices start …



Preparedness Notes for Sunday — April 24, 2022

On this day in 1915, the Armenian Genocide began. Ottoman (Turk) Muslims eventually slaughtered 1.5 million of their Christian neighbors, intellectuals, and community leaders. Pictured are some of the 16 girls from the Turkish city of Malatya that were crucified alive with spikes through their feet and hands. The Ottoman government proceeded with multiple phases to round up men in mass executions and drive women and children into the desert on death marches. They also led the general Muslim citizens to participate in brutal periodic massacres within their communities signaled with the blow of a bugle. It is one of …


Update: In-Town Versus Isolated Retreats

This feature article is an update to a SurvivalBlog article that I wrote back in August of 2005: — There are two distinct modes of fixed location survival retreats: ”In Town” and “Isolated.” The former depends on some local infrastructure while the latter is designed to be almost entirely self-sufficient and self-contained. Isolated retreats are also often termed “remote” retreats. Not everyone is suited to tackling the tasks required for self-sufficiency at an isolated retreat. Advanced age — with the inevitable loss of muscle mass — physical handicaps, lack of trustworthy family or friends, or chronic health conditions could rule …


JWR’s Meme Of The Week:

The latest meme created by JWR:   To share this, you can find it here: https://www.kapwing.com/videos/6262b3b562bdff00a506463a Meme Text: Synaptically-Challenged Joe Biden Says… I’ll Shake Hands With My Loyal Supporters, Who… Who… Oddly Seem to Have Disappeared! Background: Terms to Avoid When Writing About Disability. “Demented, senile: Avoid describing someone as being demented or senile. Use people-first language when describing someone with dementia, such as “a person with dementia.”


The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“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 hear his voice in the streets. A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory. And in his name shall the Gentiles trust. Then was brought unto him one possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb: and he healed him, insomuch that the blind and dumb both …


Preparedness Notes for Saturday — April 23, 2022

On April 23, 1968, decimal coins (divisible by 10) were introduced in England. The 5 Pence coin replaced the former 1 Shilling (which was 12 Old Pence.) And the new 10 Pence coin replaced the 2 Shillings Florin (which equated to 24 Old Pence). The old non-decimal coins were removed from circulation by 1971. — Today, a feature article by SurvivalBlog’s Senior Editor, James Wesley, Rawles (“JWR”) — We are seeking entries for Round 100 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. More than $725,000 worth of prizes have been awarded since we started running this contest. Round 100 ends on …


More Guerilla Warfare Lessons From Ukraine: Drones

The Russian army’s invasion of Ukraine has now been in progress for two months. First hoping for a quick and decisive victory, they have been thwarted by the stolid resistance of Ukraine’s active army, bolstered by reserves, foreign volunteers, and lots of ad hoc resistance, by the citizenry. The conflict has all of the hallmarks of Fourth Generation Warfare (4GW). And some would argue that with a strong cyberwarfare component, it has elements of Fifth Generation Warfare (5GW). A Drone War While anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs) have deservedly attracted the media spotlight, it is the use of drones that might …


The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever. O Zion, that bringest good tidings, get thee up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God! Behold, the Lord God will come with strong hand, and his arm shall rule for him: behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him. He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and …