Preparedness Notes for Thursday — April 23, 2020

On April 23, 1968, base metal decimal coins (using a system 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. Eventually, with inflation, a base metal One Pound coin was added. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 88 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include: First Prize: A gift certificate from Quantum …


The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods

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SurvivalBlog presents another edition of The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods— 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. Today, we look at medical ethics, in pandemics. Virus-Tracking Technology Puts Privacy at Risk Reader DSV suggested this article over at WND: Virus-tracking technology putting privacy at risk Incumbent Don Cheatham Endorses Alex Barron …


The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“The place we should have built up stockpiles was out in the country, like Timucuan County. Stockpiles weren’t going to be of much use in the cities because after ‘The Day’ there weren’t going to be any cities left. But where were the stockpiles? In the cities, of course. It was easier.” (Dan Gunn to Randy Bragg, in Chapter 7, of Alas, Babylon) by Pat Frank


Preparedness Notes for Wednesday — April 22, 2020

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Today is the birthday of the late Charles Rankin Bond, Jr., who was born in Dallas on April 22, 1915. (Died, 2009.) He was one of the last of the AVG Flying Tiger pilots. Today is the birthday of actor Eddie Albert (born Edward Albert Heimberger April 22, 1906.) He died May 26, 2005, at age 99.) For his actions in the battle of Tarawa, he was awarded the Bronze Star with “V” device. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 88 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include: First Prize: …


JWR’s Recommendations of the Week:

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Here are JWR’s Recommendations of the Week for various media and tools of interest to SurvivalBlog readers. The focus is usually on emergency communications gear, bug out bag gear, books and movies–often with a tie-in to disaster preparedness, and links to “how to” self-sufficiency videos. There are also links to sources for both storage food and storage containers. You will also note an emphasis on history books and historical movies. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This week the focus is on Trijicon ACOG optics. (See the Gear & Grub section.) Books: I’ve previously mentioned this fascinating …



Preparedness Notes for Tuesday — April 21, 2020

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April 21st is Aggie Muster Day, for all Texas A&M Corps of Cadets graduates. Aggie Muster celebrations/meetings are held as far away as Japan, Germany, and Afghanistan. I should mention that my grandfather (a U.S. Army Cavalry LTC) was an Aggie– something mentioned so often that everyone in my family felt like de facto Aggies, too. Other than the officers that matriculate though West Point, the four institutions that seem to have the greatest esprit de corps for graduates are Texas A&M, The Citadel, Norwich University, and VMI. I felt almost obliged to include an Aggie character in my novels …


SurvivalBlog’s News From The American Redoubt

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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 Alex Barron’s run for State Representative. (See the Idaho section.) Idaho The Idaho primary election is now less than a month away.  And the the general election will be in about 200 days. With the Mexican Beer Name Flu pandemic socialist distancing …



Preparedness Notes for Monday — April 20, 2020

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On April 20th, 2010, an explosion on the Deepwater Horizon oil platform, leased by BP, killed 11 workers and began spewing an estimated 200 million gallons of crude oil into the Gulf of Mexico for nearly three months, creating the worst known offshore oil spill. April 20th is also the day that we remember the victims of the Columbine High School tragedy, where two students stormed into a suburban high school in Littleton, Colorado in 1999, at lunch time with guns and explosives, killing 13 and wounding dozens more in what was, at the time, the nation’s deadliest school shooting. …


Budget Retreat Security, by Pat Cascio

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If you’ve been a reader of SurvivalBlog.com for any length of time, you’ve surely seen the term Operational Security and the acronym OPSEC. And just as often, you’ve seen the term retreat security. These two go hand-in-hand. Together, they can make your surroundings as safe and secure as possible. Sometimes, depending on your location, this might be simple. But other times, it takes a lot more work to make your surroundings as safe and secure as you possibly can. Every once in a while, I have to remind myself to maintain both OPSEC as well as retreat security. More than …


Recipe of the Week: Daniel’s Hamburger and Bean Casserole

Reader Daniel kindly sent us his recipe for hamburger and bean casserole. Ingredients 1 can french cut green beans 1 can cream of mushroom soup 1 small can of tomato Paste 1 Lb. Ground Beef, Browned and Drained 1 can diced tomatoes 2 cups of Basmati rice Directions Cook the rice. Brown the beef and drain off any grease. When the rice is nearly done, preheat your oven to 350 F. Lay down ground beef as a thin layer, in an oven-proof casserole dish. Add a layer of cooked rice. Continue layering, alternating all of the beef and rice. Spread …


Economics & Investing For Preppers

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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 the Really Big Helicopter Drop of Money. Precious Metals: Gold and silver prices down as risk appetite up late this week o  o  o ​Physical Gold and Silver to Continue to Soar on Massive Demand and Money Printing Everywhere The Really Big Helicopter Drop of Money It was Milton …



Preparedness Notes for Sunday — April 19, 2020

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April 19th is the original Patriot Day which marks the multiple anniversary of the battles of Lexington and Concord, known as “The Shot Heard ‘Round the World”. This first battle, leading to our nation’s independence, was the then-dictator’s (United Kingdom King George III’s) failed attempt at “gun control”– an act being carried out in too many parts of our USA right now. This first gun control of the colonies was a failure, because of the will and determination of a small part of the population (about 3% actually fought for our independence actively, with many others supporting) to stand up …