Preparedness Notes for Friday — February 9, 2024

On February 9th, 1555, my 17th great-grandfather, Rowland Taylor (born 6 October, 1510) was burned alive at the stake. This was during the reign of Mary I, who was also known as Mary Tudor or “Bloody Mary”. His death was part of the Marian Persecutions. In his case, he was executed for professing that Bible scripture is inerrant. He died singing hymns. His martyrdom is described in Foxe’s Book of Martyrs. – JWR — February 9th is the birthday of Major George Charles Nonte Jr. (Born 1926, died June 30, 1978.) — On February 9th, 1909 the first US federal …


Fencing In Federal Jurisdiction

Back in 2018, during the comment period for the ATF’s “redefinition” (criminalization) of previously “ATF-approved” bump stocks, I wrote an article that was titled: The First Question is Always Jurisdiction. In the years since then, I’ve come to realize just how crucial it is to understand federal jurisdiction and to be ready to challenge it whenever the government strays outside of its constitutional fences. It Started 90 Years Ago Federal jurisdiction became grossly over-applied in the early 1930s, as the Prohibition Era was nearing its end. With the passage of the National Firearms Act of 1934 (enforced by the Treasury …


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 food and fuel price inflation. (See the Inflation/Deflation Watch section.) Precious Metals: The gold-to-platinum ratio is now seriously off-kilter.  Now is a good time to ratio trade out of gold and into platinum, for at least a small part of your holdings. o  o  o Over at Gold-Eagle.com: Gold to Break $2100 …



Preparedness Notes for Thursday — February 8, 2024

February 8th, 1950, the Stasi, East Germany’s notorious secret police, was established. The Staatssicherheit, (“Stasi” for short) was considered one of the most repressive intelligence agencies in the world. It was not fully dissolved until 1990. In the investigations that followed the ministry’s dissolution, the German public learned that a huge number of East Germans willingly cooperated with the Stasi and other agencies, informing on their neighbors. — February 8th, 1828 was the birthday of Jules Verne, the French writer who authored “From the Earth to the Moon“. He is considered the father of science fiction. — On February 8th, …


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 future of wood-burning stoves. The War on Wood-Burning Stoves Why The Future Of Wood Burning Stoves In Homes Is Uncertain. Offices of Conservative Groups …



Preparedness Notes for Wednesday — February 7, 2024

On February 7th, 1992 The Maastricht Treaty was signed by 12 countries from the European Community (EC) to create the European Union (EU). — On February 7th, 1812, one of the largest earthquakes in U.S. history occurred along the New Madrid Fault. — February 7th, 1867, was the birthday of Laura Ingalls Wilder (died February 10, 1957). SurvivalBlog highly recommends the Laura Ingalls Wilder books as well as her biography. — Some sad news: Country music legend Toby Keith dead at 62, after battle with cancer. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 111 of the …


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. — Controversy Unleashed: Biden Administration’s Proposed Gun Sales Background Check Sparks Constitutional Debate.  JWR’s Comments:  All Federal gun law authority is based on the Interstate Commerce clause. The ATF’s proposed rulemaking grossly expands the definition of “engaged in the business.” Given the recent Bruen Second Amendment decision and the upcoming Loper Bright Enterprises …



Preparedness Notes for Tuesday — February 6, 2024

February 6th, 1895 was the birthday of baseball player Babe Ruth. His home-run hitting helped make him one of the most-celebrated athletes in American sports. — President Ronald Wilson Reagan was born on February 6th, 1911. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 111 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 a store-wide 10% off coupon. Depending on the model chosen, this could be worth more than $2,000. A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate. This can be used …


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 continuing disenfranchisement of eastern Oregon’s conservatives by western Oregon’s overbearing Democrat majority. (See the Central & Eastern Oregon section.) Region-Wide Biden administration’s deal with Six Sovereigns sparks debate over Lower Snake River Dams. o  o  o Ballotopedia: Greater Idaho, Oregon, countywide …


The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“No position appears to me more true than this; that the General Govt. can not effectually exist without reserving to the States the possession of their local rights. They are the instruments upon which the Union must frequently depend for the support and execution of their powers, however immediately operating upon the people, and not upon the States.” – Charles Pinckney, “Plan for a Government for America,” Constitutional Convention, June 25, 1787.  In the mural detail above, from the the US Archives, Charles Pinckney is pictured at the far left.


Preparedness Notes for Monday — February 5, 2024

On February 5, 1778, the Articles of Confederation were ratified by South Carolina — the second state to do so. The Third Punic War, the last of three between Rome and Carthage, came to an end this day in 146 BC, culminating in the final destruction of Carthage, the enslavement of its people, and Roman hegemony over the Mediterranean. Today is the birthday of Sir Hiram Stevens Maxim (5 February 1840 – 24 November 1916). He was an American-British inventor best known as the creator of the first truly automatic machine gun, the Maxim gun. Maxim also held patents on …


Recipe of the Week: Emergency Corn Biscuits

The following simple recipe for Emergency Corn Biscuits is from Good HouseKeeping’s Book of Menus, Recipes, and Household Discoveries (253 pages, copyright 1925, now in public domain). That is one of the 11 new bonus books included in the new 2005-2023 edition of the SurvivalBlog Archive USB stick. Ingredients 1-1/4 cupfuls bread flour 1 cupful of cold water 3/4 cupful cornmeal 1 teaspoonful sugar 2 tablespoonfuls shortening 5 teaspoonful baking-powder 1 teaspoonful salt Directions Mix and sift the dry ingredients. Mix in the shortening with two knives or the tips of the fingers. Add to the cold water and mix …