“All experience teaches that, whenever there is a great national establishment, employing large numbers of officials, the public must be reconciled to support many incompetent men; for such is the favoritism and nepotism always prevailing in the purlieus of these establishments, that some incompetent persons are always admitted, to the exclusion of many of the worthy.” – Herman Melville
April 13, 1743 was the birthday of Thomas Jefferson. (He died on July 4, 1826 just a few hours before the death of John Adams. How patriotic of both of them to pass away on the Fourth of July.) — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 100 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 …
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. — We’ll start out today’s column with a caption for the photo, above. It is not a prop from the 1984 John Milius movie Red Dawn. Rather, it is a recent photo from Ukraine, where an immobilized Russian BMP-3 was tagged by a Ukrainian fighter — or perhaps a teen loyalist. Given the global nature of …
“Human passions unbridled by morality and religion… …would break the strongest cords of our Constitution as a whale goes through a net.” – John Adams
We’ve received news that novelist Jack Higgins has passed away, at age 92. Here is an excerpt from his obituary: “Publisher HarperCollins announced Saturday that Higgins died at his home on the English Channel island of Jersey surrounded by his family. He reportedly was the author of more than 85 novels and was renowned as one of the greatest thriller writers of all time. Born Henry Patterson in Newcastle, England, in July 1929, Higgins served in the military before studying sociology at the London School of Economics. He became a teacher in the northern city of Leeds and a writer …
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, we focus on the arrival of Avian Influenza. (See the Montana and Wyoming sections.) Region-Wide From Spectator World: Heading west to escape liberal tyranny: Remote work will geographically polarize the country even more. This refreshingly unbiased article begins: “As our nation navigates a ‘return to …
“Making a big life change is pretty scary. But know what’s even scarier? Regret.” – Zig Ziglar
Today is the birthday of Lieutenant Colonel George Vincent Fosbery (11 April 1832 – 8 May 1907.) He was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. He was also a designer and inventor of firearms including the Webley-Fosbery “automatic” revolver (pictured) and the Paradox Gun. April 11th is also the birthday of John Milius, who was born in 1944. He both wrote the screenplays and directed the films Dillinger, The Wind and the Lion, Big Wednesday, Conan …
The following recipe is from reader Chad in Wisconsin. He modified a commercial recipe that he found online, to allow him to make his equivalent of Resse’s Peanut Butter Cups, from his storage foods cache. Chad says: “This is the ultimate ‘comfort food’ for The Dark Days.” He also notes: “This recipe can be doubled, for double your yum!” Ingredients Base Layer: 1 cup butter, margarine, or storage ghee 3-1/2 cups powdered sugar 2 cups peanut butter or reconstituted peanut butter powder 1-1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs Topping: ½ cup butter, margarine, or storage ghee 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips …
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 some stock market risks. (See the Equities section.) Precious Metals: Gold to test $1,950 as bullish sentiment drives prices. o o o Alasdair Macleod: The Commodity Currency Revolution. Economy & Finance: “Sounding The Alarm”: A $3 Trillion Problem Emerges As The Fed Prepares To Launch QT. o o o …
“Here’s how to get started with the antipolitical politics of the Benedict Option. Secede culturally from the mainstream. Turn off the television. Put the smartphones away. Read books. Play games. Make music. Feast with your neighbors. It is not enough to avoid what is bad; you must also embrace what is good. Start a church, or a group within your church. Open a classical Christian school, or join and strengthen one that exists. Plant a garden, and participate in a local farmer’s market. Teach kids how to play music, and start a band. Join the volunteer fire department.” – Rod …
April 10, 1827 was the birthday of General Lew Wallace. He wrote books (author of Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ), sculpted, practiced law, painted, played the violin and made them as well. In the “Battle of Monocacy” he led a unit alongside 8,000 Union troops against 15,000 Confederates. He was second in command of the Lincoln conspiracy trial as well as principal in the trial of the Commander of Andersonville prison where prisoners had been starved to death. He was U.S. Ambassador to Turkey. And he served as the Territorial Governor of New Mexico. Willian Bonney (“Billy the Kid”) …
The latest meme created by JWR (at the suggestion of SurbivalBlog reader Bruce F.): To share this, you can find it here: https://www.kapwing.com/videos/624eff83cc34310095ede0b9 Meme Text: Leadership? If Putin Had Led the Russian Army in 1812, They’d Be Speaking French in Moscow Now Link: Some background from Infogalactic: French Invasion of Russia.
“Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. If thou put the brethren in remembrance of …
On April 9, 1869, the Hudson Bay Company ceded its territory to the Commonwealth of Canada. On April 9, 1768, John Hancock refused to allow two British customs agents to go below deck of his ship. This was considered by some to be the first act of physical resistance to British authority in the American colonies. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 100 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 …
