Preparedness Notes for Monday — December 30, 2019

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December 30, 1865 was the birthday of Rudyard Kipling. His writings are now favorites among British, Australian, and American officers and NCOs deployed to Afghanistan. — Today we present another review by our Field Gear Editor, Pat Cascio. But first, some breaking news (with commentary): Armed church members shoot active shooter inside packed Texas church during a livestreamed communion. JWR’s Comment:  Chalk up one for the Good Guys. Without their prompt response, this probably would have been another bloodbath.


LA Police Gear: Clothing, by Pat Cascio

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“Clothes make the man (or woman)” and I couldn’t tell you how many times I’ve heard someone say that, or where it came from. However, I believe, they are talking about dressing-up, as in a suit coat and trousers, for a man; or in the case of a woman, perhaps a really nice-looking dress. The last time I had my suit on was when my oldest daughter graduated from college – about 18 years go – I doubt it still fits me, and I know that I don’t own a pair of dress shoes to go with it. I’ve held …


Recipe of the Week: Vincent’s Italian Beef Roast

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Reader “Sis” kindly sent us this Italian Beef Roast recipe. Vincent’s Crock Pot Italian Beef Roast Ingredients 2-to-4 lb beef roast, whole. 10 pepperchinis diced, with seeds 1 jalapeno pepper, diced 1/3-to -1/2 tsp. Oregano 1 Tablespoon Cooking Oil 1/2 tsp. Salt 1/2 tsp. Fresh Ground Black Pepper 2 Cups of Water Directions Put roast in an electric crock pot or a covered broiler pan. Baste the roast in oil. Sprinkle the seasonings on the roast. Gently pour in two cups of water. Cook in a covered crock pot on a low setting for 4-5 hours or until tender. SERVING …


Economics & Investing For Preppers

This is my last Economics & Investing column post for calendar year 2019, so today I’m posting my 2020 recommendations: Stocks: Minimize. The unprecedented 11+ year U.S. economic expansion cannot continue indefinitely. So far, the banksters have kept “the everything bubble” expanding by means of artificially low interest rates. At some point in the near future, the bubble will deflate, and possibly pop spectacularly. Keep in mind that 2020 is a presidential election year. If The Powers That Be (TPTB) want to see President DJT ousted, then they can do so with an orchestrated crash. If they merely allow interest …



Preparedness Notes for Sunday — December 29, 2019

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Today is the birthday of inventor Charles Goodyear (1800–1860.) This is also the birthday of actor Jude Law (born 1972.) You will remember him from Enemy at The Gates and Sky Captain. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 85 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The more than $12,000 worth of prizes for this round include: First Prize: A $3,000 gift certificate towards a Sol-Ark Solar Generator from Veteran owned Portable Solar LLC. The only EMP Hardened Solar Generator System available to the public. A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate. This can be used …


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 feature an article that describes some secret military bases, such as Pine Gap, Australia. (Pictured.) Mike Williamson: The Virginia Debacle, Summarized Over at our own Michael Z. Williamson’s personal blog (The Sacred …


The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

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“But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine: That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience. The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded. In all things shewing thyself …


Preparedness Notes for Saturday — December 28, 2019

December 28, 1793 is the day that Thomas Paine was arrested in France for treason. The charges against him were never fully detailed, but he was tried in absentia on December 26 and convicted. Best known as the author of Common Sense, he moved to Paris to be part of the French revolution. Initially welcomed, the tide soon turned against him, because he was opposed to the death penalty and the French revolutionaries were sending hundreds to the guillotine. — Today, instead of another regular entry for Round 85 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest, we are presenting two short …


Editors’ Prepping Progress

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To be prepared for a crisis, every Prepper must establish goals and make long-term and short-term plans. In this column, the SurvivalBlog editors review their week’s prep activities and planned prep activities for the coming week. These range from healthcare and gear purchases to gardening, ranch improvements, bug out bag fine-tuning, and food storage. This is something akin to our Retreat Owner Profiles, but written incrementally and in detail, throughout the year. Note that as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. We always welcome you to share your own successes and wisdom in the Comments. Let’s keep busy …


The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“Thus hath the Lord God shewed unto me: and behold a basket of summer fruit. And he said, Amos, what seest thou? And I said, A basket of summer fruit. Then said the Lord unto me, The end is come upon my people of Israel; I will not again pass by them any more. And the songs of the temple shall be howlings in that day, saith the Lord God: there shall be many dead bodies in every place; they shall cast them forth with silence. Hear this, O ye that swallow up the needy, even to make the poor …


Preparedness Notes for Friday — December 27, 2019

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On this day in 1979, in an attempt to stabilize the turbulent political situation in Afghanistan, the Soviet Union sent 75,000 troops to enforce the installation of Babrak Karmal as the new leader of the nation. The new government and the imposing Soviet presence, however, had little success in putting down anti-government rebels. Thus began nearly 10 years of an agonizing, destructive, and ultimately fruitless Soviet military intervention in Afghanistan. Death by a thousand cuts. — Cabela’s (one of our affiliate advertisers) has started their annual clearance sale, with some items reduced 50%. That sale ends on January 8, 2020. …


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 corporate debt bubble. (See the Economy & Finance section.) Precious Metals: Allen Sykora: Palladium may lose some altitude but expected to remain at lofty heights o  o  o Kitco: Asset allocation tips to prepare for more volatility in 2020 Economy & Finance: Reader Mark J. was the first …