Economics and Investing:

Just like clockwork, Spot Silver is emerging from the regular summer doldrums. It is noteworthy that the physical market is now very far removed from the spot and futures markets. There is a huge shortage of silver coins and small bars, and dealers are commanding huge premiums above spot. With spot silver now around $15.60 per ounce, you will be lucky to find even generic one-ounce rounds selling for less than $22 each, and U.S. Mint American Eagles are a couple of dollars more. o o o Record ATM Fees Rise Toward $5 o o o Jim Willie: Checkmate! In …


Odds ‘n Sods:

A consulting client in Georgia recently asked me about carry methods for his new Rawles XL Voyager folding knife. Since this knife is quite large (7.3″ long when folded and just over 12″ when locked open), it can be challenging for everyday front pocket carry, using the included pocket clip. And, given the long blade length, pocket carry is not always legal in all jurisdictions. I told him: To get a kydex belt sheath made in your choice of colors and set up for either horizontal or vertical carry, talk to Matt Mann of Trident Concealment. Or if you prefer …



Notes for Tuesday – October 6, 2015

Folks in the Carolinas are still suffering from the effects of Hurricane Joaquin, which brought a record-breaking 15 inches of rain in 24-hours in several locales. This being called a “1,000-year rain event.” With the flooding, there are now curfews with “no firearms allowed” in effect in some South Carolina cities. Please keep the Carolinians in your prayers! (Thanks to Reader J.B.G. for the link.) o o o October 6th is the birthday of adventurer Thor Heyerdahl. (Born 1914, died April 18, 2002.) Today is also the birthday of science fiction author David Brin. (born, 1950.) He wrote The Postman, …


News From The American Redoubt:

Man fends off grizzly by shoving arm down its throat. (Thanks to “Keeper” for the link to this amazing news story.) o o o Montana Governor Bullock signs anti-police militarization bill o o o Wildfire smoke pollution unprecedented in 2015 o o o New plan offers hope in saving imperiled Wyoming toad o o o Things are at least a bit more common sense in Eastern Oregon: College shooting highlights school safety issues. Here is a quote: “Blue Mountain Community College’s official policy bans weapons on campus, but students with a concealed carry permit are exempt from that ban if …


Economics and Investing:

Vegas Casinos Fight to Buy Their Own Electricity o o o Ron Paul predicts a monumental crash in interview on Russia Today: Bubbles are all over the place. (Video.) Items from The Economics Team: 7 Ways to Sample Living with Less (Becoming Minimalist) Investors Brace for Market Fall (Reuters) U.S. Currency Laundered by Mexican Drug Cartles through the Middle East (Breitbart) The System Designed to Prevent Financial Crisis is Likely to Fail (MarketWatch) Asian Markets Fall as Fears Deepen Over China Slowdown (The Guardian) A reminder: In an economically interconnected world, there is no “containment”!


Odds ‘n Sods:

The 5th National Preppers and Survivalists (NPS) Expo is scheduled for October 10-11, 2015 in Louisville, Kentucky at the Louisville Convention Center. o o o The latest Thoughts From Frank and Fern: A Group of Your Own o o o Pat Condell: Goodbye to the First Amendment o o o ‘It’s not the guns’: Donald Trump says arming teachers and students would have stopped Oregon school killer as he defends Second Amendment rights o o o Patrice Lewis: The Stupidity of Gun-Free Zones



Notes for Monday – October 5, 2015

October 5, 1703 was the birthday of Jonathan Edwards. He was a prolific Calvinist theological writer. Many of his writings were later collected in the multi-volume book The Rational Biblical Theology of Jonathan Edwards, edited by John Gerstner. Edwards died March 22, 1758. o o o We are pleased to announce that we are adding one more new prize for the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest, starting with Round 61, which is in progress. DisasterStuff.com is kindly donating one of their Berkey-compatible 5-gallon bucket filter systems, complete with four black Berkey filter elements. This is a $245 value. It will be …


Pat Cascio’s Product Review: Ruger’s Precision Rifle

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When I worked full-time for the Illinois National Guard I was on their rifle and pistol team. At the time I was only 18 years old – but I was an Expert (military earned) shot with a long gun. We were issued match-grade M14s and all matches were shot with open sights – and our team used to beat the pants off of other shooters, with scoped rifles. I was a “novice” or so they rated me as such, and I handily bet every shooter I was placed against. I can’t attribute my shooting skills to the military training. I …


Letter: Getting Practical and Tactical With Baofeng Hand-Helds, by Wrangler

Dear SurvivalBlog Readers: Imagine for a moment that you are a licensed ham, operating in a tactical situation, observing your target. It is pitch black outside, and suddenly a team member calls you on the radio. Your radio goes “beep” and the screen lights up so brightly that you can be seen for half a mile. That is not a good situation! One very popular hand-held radio available in the U.S. is the Chinese-made Baofeng UV-5R handheld dual-band transceiver. They cover two bands: 136-174MHz and 400-519.995 MHz. These hand-helds are mass-produced, so they are often bargain priced at less than …


Recipe of the Week: Minestrone Soup, by C.S.

This is my favorite Minestrone soup. Ingredients: ¼ cup cooking oil (I use peanut oil or olive oil) 1 clove garlic, minced or (1/8 tsp. powder) 1-1/3 cup onion coarsely chopped 1-½ cup celery with leaves, coarsely chopped ½ can (6 oz.) tomato paste 1 Tbs. parsley 1 cup carrots, sliced fresh or frozen 4-¾ cup cabbage, shredded 4 cans diced tomatoes (28oz. cans) 1 can red kidney beans, drained, rinsed (black beans also work well) 1 ½ cup frozen peas 1 ½ cup green beans 1 tsp. sugar Dash of hot sauce (optional) 11 cups of water 2 cups …


Economics and Investing:

Reader Emily G. suggested this interesting New York Times article: Trading Meat for Tires as Bartering Economy Grows in Greece Items from The Economics Team: ConAgra Foods Lays Off 1,500 (Salt Lake Tribune) Chesapeake Energy Lays Off 740 (KFOR News Channel 4) Whole Foods Lays Off 1500 (CNBC) 20 Largest U.S. Layoffs in 2015 (ZeroHedge)


Odds ‘n Sods:

Killed for their faith: Tennessee lieutenant governor calls on all Christians to carry handguns as it’s revealed Oregon gunman slaughtered those who admitted religion o o o Obama Admin & UN Announce Global Police Force to Fight “Extremism” in US Cities o o o Germany Ethnically Cleanses its Own People to Make Way for Muslims o o o Reader Peter R. recommend this review of compact shortwave radios: Mega Review: the Tecsun PL-880, PL-660, Sangean ATS-909X, and Sony ICF-SW7600GR go head-to-head