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. — The Great American Gun Divide. JWR’s Comments: Pundits often speak of the cultural divide between “Red States” versus “Blue States”.  But the contrast between Gun-Toting States versus Gun-Hating States is even more pronounced. There are not many other issues that have precipitated such wholesale political migration. Needless to say, if you live …



Preparedness Notes for Tuesday — April 18, 2023

Paul Revere, a renowned silversmith, is better remembered as a folk hero of the American Revolution who this night in 1775 made a dramatic ride on horseback to warn Boston-area residents of an imminent attack by British troops. — We are still seeking entries for Round 106 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. More than $800,000 worth of prizes have been awarded since we started running this contest. We recently polled blog readers, asking for suggested article topics. Refer to that poll if you haven’t yet chosen an article topic. Round 106 ends on May 31st, so get busy writing …


Deluded American Fiat-Fooled Yellen-Era Serfs

I recently coined the acronym DAFFYS, to describe the majority of Americans. DAFFYS stands for Deluded American Fiat-Fooled Yellen-era Serfs. Most Americans are under the foolish delusion that they have “money” in their bank accounts. But it is not true money (gold or silver “dollars” as defined in the Coinage Acts of 1792 and 1834). Instead, much like the folding paper currency, those accounting entry digits represent “Federal Reserve Notes” (FRNs), with no intrinsic value. FRNs are issued “at will” (by fiat) by the Federal Reserve cartel. They are created out of thin air, through the process of fractional reserve …


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, we focus on the Montana Legislature’s Vote To Ban TikTok. (See the Montana section.) Idaho Reader Dave B.  sent us the link to this biased left-wing Dutch television news report from 2022: AMERICAN REDOUBT: Ultra Conservatives Taking Over Idaho.  Take note that Nieuwsuur is co-produced …



Preparedness Notes for Monday — April 17, 2023

On April 17, 1982, the Canada Act, also known as the Constitution Act, took effect. The Canada Act established certain individual rights, preserving parliamentary supremacy, and making Canada a wholly independent, fully sovereign state.  Sadly, since then, individual liberty in Canada has been deeply degraded by the growth of the bureaucratic, Ottawa-centric, and increasingly socialistic Nanny State. — Today’s feature article was penned by SurvivalBlog Field Gear Editor Tom Christianson.


Recipe of the Week:  Super Simple Peanut Butter Cookies

The following recipe for Super Simple Peanut Butter Cookies is from reader Cathy D.  She notes: “The egg helps hold the dough together. Don’t skip it, or you’ll have crumbly mess.” This recipe makes one dozen cookies. Ingredients 1 cup peanut butter. Typical commercial peanut butter brands (like Skippy or Jif) work better than the “natural/organic” brands. 1 cup of white sugar. 1 egg Directions Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper. Mix peanut butter, white sugar, and egg in a medium bowl until smooth. Roll mixture into 1-inch dough balls and place 1.5 inches …


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. Most of these items are from JWR’s “tangibles heavy” contrarian perspective. Today, we look at the baby bull in precious metals. Precious Metals: Silver has been steadily climbing, in recent weeks. Despite some profit-taking on Friday (April 14), spot silver closed at $25.61 per Troy ounce!  It now costs $26,900+ to buy a $1,000 face value bag of pre-1965 US. “junk” silver from a reliable “low mark-up” …


The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“Strictly speaking, it probably is not “necessary” for the federal government to tax anyone directly; it could simply print the money it needs. However, that would be too bold a stroke, for it would then be obvious to all what kind of counterfeiting operation the government is running. The present system combining taxation and inflation is akin to watering the milk; too much water and the people catch on.” – Congressman Ron Paul


The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“Administration and character of Eutropius, A.D. 395-399: The first events of the reign of Arcadius and Honorius are so intimately connected, that the rebellion of the Goths and the fall of Rufinus have already claimed a place in the history of the West. It has already been observed that Eutropius, one of the principal eunuchs of the palace of Constantinople, succeeded the haughty minister whose ruin he had accomplished and whose vices he soon imitated. Every order of the state bowed to the new favourite; and their tame and obsequious submission encouraged him to insult the laws, and, what is …


Preparedness Notes for Sunday — April 16, 2023

April 16th is the birthday of two notable novelists– the late J. Neil Schulman (pictured) and Samuel Youd. Agorist-Libertarian activist J. Neil Schulman (born April 16, 1953, died 2019) was best known as author of the novel Alongside Night. The late Samuel Youd (born 1922, died February 3, 2012) was the British novelist who was best known for his science fiction writings under the pseudonym John Christopher, including the survivalist novel Death of Grass (titled No Blade of Grass, in the American edition) as well as the Tripods Series of young adult sci-fi novel series. A fascinating man, Youd wrote …


JWR’s Meme Of The Week:

The latest meme created by JWR: Meme Text: Go Woke, Lose $5 Billion in Stock Valuation Shares… Low… …er News Links: Anheuser-Busch loses more than $5 billion in value amid Dylan Mulvaney Bud Light controversy JWR’s Comment: The transvestite ad campaign and Bud Light can logo fiasco were dreamed up by Anheuser-Busch Marketing VP Alissa Heinerscheid. Just imagine how will this look on her resume, under “Accomplishments”…  


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 — April 15, 2023

Today, April 15, 2023 is the 20th Blogiversary of Commander Zero’s Notes From The Bunker blog. Congratulations, Z.! April 15th is traditionally Tax Day, but I prefer to remember its as musician Roy Clark’s birthday. He was born April 15, 1933. April 15th, 1912, is also the anniversary of the sinking of the “unsinkable” Titanic. 1,517 people lost their lives on the maiden voyage. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 106 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 …