The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“Sing, O barren, thou that didst not bear; break forth into singing, and cry aloud, thou that didst not travail with child: for more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married wife, saith the Lord. Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of thine habitations: spare not, lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes; For thou shalt break forth on the right hand and on the left; and thy seed shall inherit the Gentiles, and make the desolate cities to be inhabited. Fear not; for thou shalt not be …


Preparedness Notes for Friday — June 7, 2024

On June 7th, 1776, Richard Henry Lee of Virginia proposed to the Continental Congress a resolution calling for a Declaration of Independence. June 7th, 1967 was the day of Jerusalem’s redemption from foreign governments in the Six Day War, placing it back under Israeli sovereign control after having been occupied for over 2,500 years. This was in accord with the UN General Assembly’s vote in 1948. — Today’s feature article was written by SurvivalBlog’s Founder and Senior Editor, James Wesley, Rawles (JWR). — We are in need of entries for Round 113 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. More than …


Post Your Curtilage Boundaries!

In recent years American courts have not bolstered private property rights.  It has been well-publicized how the courts have deferred to local governments and even to private land developers, in allowing Eminent Domain declarations to deprive even multi-generational land owners of their property, for “public use”. This has gone far beyond just widening highways. Some of these “takings” have been for boondoggles like building privately-owned sports stadiums and shopping malls. But much less well known are court cases at the state and Federal levels that have upheld the assumed right of law enforcement officers to enter and surveil private lands …


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 the recent oil glut. (See the Commodities section.) Precious Metals: Gold: Reversal Signals are Increasing. o  o  o The latest from Hub Moolman: The US Dollar or Silver: Make Your Choice. o  o  o Why It’s Time to Stop Taxing Gold & Silver.  (Full disclosure: Bullionstar is a SurvivalBlog affiliate advertiser.) Economy …



Preparedness Notes for Thursday — June 6, 2024

Today is the 80th Anniversary of D-Day Normandy Landings. On June 6, 1932, The Revenue Act of 1932 was enacted, creating the first gasoline tax in the United States, at a rate of 1 cent per US gallon sold. On June 6, 1816, there was a record 10″ of snowfall for a June day was reported in New England. This was part of a “year without a summer” that followed the eruption of Mount Tambora in Indonesia. On June 6th, 1513: The Battle of Novara, the War of the League of Cambrai: the Swiss Confederacy defeat the French. Today is …


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 the D-Day anniversary celebration. D-Day + 80 Years This year will likely be the last major D-Day anniversary with living veterans in attendance. Organizers are …



Preparedness Notes for Wednesday — June 5, 2024

On June 5, 1967, the Six-Day War began between Israel and the neighboring Arab states of Egypt, Jordan, and Syria. — On June 5, 1851, Harriet Beecher Stowe published the first installment of Uncle Tom’s Cabin in The National Era. She was the sister of firebrand abolitionist Henry Ward Beecher. — On June 5, 70, Titus and his Roman legions breached the middle wall of Jerusalem. The destruction of Jerusalem began The Great Diaspora. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 113 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include: First Prize: …


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. — Reader G.L. wrote to mention: “For anyone interested in dipping a toe into the ham radio waters, the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) annual Field Day this year is the weekend of June 22 & 23. Nearly every ham club in the country will be out in a public park somewhere that …



Preparedness Notes for Tuesday — June 4, 2024

Today is the 20th anniversary of the Granby, Colorado armored bulldozer incident on June 4, 2004, where Marvin Heemeyer knocked down several buildings in town. A documentary titled Tread details what happened that day, and the events leading to the rampage. Though often called the “Killdozer” incident, the only one who died that day was Marvin Heemeyer, from a self-inflicted gunshot, after his heavily-modified Komatsu bulldozer became immobilized. Today is the anniversary of the Tiananmen Square Massacre, in 1989. On June 4th, in 1944 United States Navy Task Group 22.3 captured U-505, a German submarine and with it an intact …


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 located in the American Redoubt region that are of interest to preppers and survivalists. Today, we focus on an unintended consequence of Montana’s real estate boom. (See the Montana section.) Region-Wide Montana Versus Idaho Cost of Living in 2024. o  o  o A video essay: 13th Oregon County Approves ‘Greater Idaho’ Movement – Secession Gains Momentum. o  o  o Confidence …



Preparedness Notes for Monday — June 3, 2024

On June 3rd, 1539, Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto claimed Florida for Spain. And one year later, June 3, 1540, he crossed the Appalachian Mountains. He was the first European to do so. — On June 3, 1781, Jack Jouett rode to warn Thomas Jefferson of British attack. — June 3rd can also be considered the “birthday” of the U.S. Army. (It was established by Congress on June 3rd, 1784.) — Today’s feature article is a review by SurvivalBlog Field Gear Editor Tom Christianson.