The Illegitimate 16th and 17th Amendments, by M.A.

The 16th and 17th amendments failed ratification for a number of reasons which include lack of ratification by several states, several states that changed the wording of the amendment and sent back an amendment that was different from that which congress sent forth, and one oddity: Ohio. Ohio was not admitted into the union until the 1950s since they never sent their formal acceptance of statehood until then; it seems somehow the paperwork was lost in the process and never sent to Congress. Therefore, it was not possible for Ohio to vote since it was actually still a territory at …


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, news about Idaho’s Vaccine Freedom Law.  (See the Idaho section.) Idaho Idaho Governor Signs Bill Banning Businesses, Schools From Requiring Medical Procedures, Including Vaccines. An excerpt: “Republican Governor Brad Little has signed legislation, the Idaho Medical Freedom Act, that bans businesses and schools from requiring customers, …



Preparedness Notes for Monday — April 14, 2025

On April 14, 1471, in the Wars of the Roses, the Battle of Barnet was fought.  In this battle, Yorkists defeated the Lancastrians and killed the Earl of Warwick. — April 14, 1775: The first abolitionist society in US was organized in Philadelphia. — On this day in 1865, just after the effective end of the American Civil War, U.S. President Abraham Lincoln was shot by John Wilkes Booth while attending a production at Ford’s Theatre in Washington, D.C., and died the next morning. Also on April 14, 1865, U.S. Secretary of State William H. Seward and his family were …


Makers and Riders Pants, by Thomas Christianson

Two friends and I each recently had the opportunity to test several pair of Makers and Riders Pants. We each tested their “Traveler” softshell jeans and their 3 season “Dispatch Rider” jeans. We found the Traveler jeans to be extremely comfortable for everyday wear during cool weather. They cost $109 at the time of this writing at www.makersandriders.com . The Dispatch Rider jeans were outstanding for everyday and field wear during cold weather. They are water resistant and fleece lined. They cost $118 at the time of this writing. The owner of Makers and Riders got caught up in supply …


Recipe of the Week:

The following recipe for Pioneer Skillet Cornbread is from SurvivalBlog reader J.A.. This is intended to be baked in an oven in a cast iron skillet, but you could substitute an uncovered cast iron Dutch Oven. Ingredients 1/2 cup flour 2 1/2 cups cornmeal 1/4 cup sugar 2 Tablespoons baking powder 2 teaspoons salt 2 eggs (beaten) 2 1/4 cups milk 6 Tablespoons melted shortening (or bacon grease) for the batter 2 Tablespoons hot shortening (or bacon grease) in your skillet. Directions Set your oven to 450 F. Heat a cast iron skillet in the oven with the shortening or …




Preparedness Notes for Sunday — April 13, 2025

On April 13, 1520 Raphael‘s final influential masterpiece “The Transfiguration” was put on display just a week after the artist’s death. — April 13, 1743 was the birthday of Thomas Jefferson. (He died on July 4, 1826 just a few hours before the death of John Adams.) — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 118 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 $2000. …


JWR’s Meme Of The Week:

The latest meme created by JWR: Meme Text: A Simple Question For Pam “D.O.J. Barbie” Bondi: So, Where Are All The Epstein Files That You Said Were “Sitting On My Desk, For Review” Back On February 21st, 2025? News Link:  Bondi says Epstein client list ‘sitting on my desk’ for review. Notes From JWR: Do you have a meme idea? Just e-mail me the concept, and I’ll try to assemble it. And if it is posted then I’ll give you credit. Thanks! Permission to repost memes that I’ve created is granted, provided that credit to SurvivalBlog.com is included.  


The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“And he arose from thence, and cometh into the coasts of Judaea by the farther side of Jordan: and the people resort unto him again; and, as he was wont, he taught them again. And the Pharisees came to him, and asked him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife? tempting him. And he answered and said unto them, What did Moses command you? And they said, Moses suffered to write a bill of divorcement, and to put her away. And Jesus answered and said unto them, For the hardness of your heart he wrote you …


Preparedness Notes for Saturday — April 12, 2025

April 12, 1893:  “Massacre of Hoornkrans”: Curt von François (pictured), colonial Governor of German South West Africa (now Nambia), led an attack by 225 Schutztruppe soldiers on Nama leader Hendrik Witbooi’s headquarters at Hoornkrans. The shelling of the village caused tremendous civilian casualties. Witbooi escaped and waged several months of guerrilla warfare against the German forces. — April 12th is the birthday of the late novelist Tom Clancy. (Born 1947, died October 1, 2013). It was Clancy who almost single-handedly created the modern techno-thriller genre, with his first novel, The Hunt For Red October. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we …


The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“Hear ye this word which I take up against you, even a lamentation, O house of Israel. The virgin of Israel is fallen; she shall no more rise: she is forsaken upon her land; there is none to raise her up. For thus saith the Lord God; The city that went out by a thousand shall leave an hundred, and that which went forth by an hundred shall leave ten, to the house of Israel. For thus saith the Lord unto the house of Israel, Seek ye me, and ye shall live: But seek not Bethel, nor enter into Gilgal, …


Preparedness Notes for Friday — April 11, 2025

On April 11, 1900, the first modern submarine designed and built by John Philip Holland, USS Holland was acquired by the U.S. Navy. — Lieutenant Colonel George Vincent Fosbery VC (11 April 1832 – 8 May 1907) was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. He was also a designer and inventor of firearms including the Webley-Fosbery revolver and the Paradox Gun. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 118 of the SurvivalBlog …


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’s focus: Inflation or Deflation? (See the Inflation/Deflation Watch section.) Precious Metals: Sprott: Silver Price Dip: Temporary or a Major Trend? Is Gold Next as Tariffs Shake Markets? o  o  o Households urged to check jewelry insurance coverage after gold prices surge. Economy & Finance: From the WSJ: Americans Are Sitting on a Cash Pile as …