Letter Re: COMEX Precious Metals Market Dips

James, Many reader may be stunned by the drop in COMEX silver prices. However, holders of physical silver need not despair. The price to obtain actual coins has hardly been affected at all. Both Kitco and eBay testify to this: On Kitco, single silver eagles are now $29.10, or $4.15 over the Friday silver Comex close of $25.95 and a monster box of 500 eagles at $14,300 is still $28.60 each. Kitco at present is not even listing “junk silver bags”, they’re just not available through them (sometimes this happens), but others are selling the $1,000 face value bags of …


Letter Re: Advice on U.S. Military Service

Dear James, Concerning joining the military and prepping:  If the person has the aptitude then joining the Navy Seabees [Construction Battalion] would definitely be something to consider. The Seabees are primarily builders but do get training to fight.  Being as they are not “combat” troops the deployment should be less than a combat arm. And the training [they provide] as a builder would be very handy if the Schumer Hits The Fan. Best Regards, – Jim M.


Economics and Investing:

US Shale Industry Set for a Second Boom with Waterflood Technology Governor Paul LePage: Beretta, Colt and Magpul—Come to Maine. The Texas Governor says Ditto! Portugal’s elder statesman calls for ‘Argentine-style’ default. (Thanks to Andre D. for the link.) Items from The Economatrix: More Than 101 Million Working-Age Americans Do Not Have A Job Authorities Seize $50M In Gold From Private Owner Why Are The Banksters Telling Us To Sell Our Gold When They Are Hoarding Gold?


Odds ‘n Sods:

More troubling privacy news: Secrets of FBI Smartphone Surveillance Tool Revealed in Court Fight and IRS: We can read emails without warrant. (Thanks to G.G. and R.B.S. for the links.)    o o o Reader B.B. sent this: York Arms Cancels All Its New York Police Orders    o o o The ultimate “Angry Beaver” story: Beaver Bites Man To Death In Belarus Attack. (A hat tip to Pierre M.)    o o o B.B. sent: Newly Approved Arms Trade Treaty Could Shut Down Flow of Surplus Ammo. This will surely mean short supplies and higher prices, so I recommend …


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

“I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.” – 1 Timothy 2:1-4 (KJV)


Notes from JWR:

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. How patriotic of both of them to pass away on the Fourth of July.) — Today we present another entry for Round 46 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include: First Prize: A.) Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate, good for any one, two, or three course. (A $1,195 value.) B.) A course certificate from onPoint Tactical. This certificate will be for the prize winner’s choice of three-day civilian courses. …


The Zero Waste Kitchen, by Kate in Colorado

With food prices soaring with no end in sight, it is extremely important to use our food purchases and harvests wisely. How we manage our kitchens and decrease food loss will become even more critical in the face of increased economic pressure that seems to be increasing at breakneck speed.  The people of this country have been blessed with such food abundance in the past that many people automatically assume the supply of food will continue to be endless in the future.  The average person has no idea where their food comes from nor how it is constructed, processed, and …


Letter Re: Advice on U.S. Military Service

Greetings Mr. Rawles and thank you for your service to this great country.   I would like to commend you on your knowledge, mindset, and ability to create a web site where we all can come together as like-minded individuals and expand our relative knowledge of survival during these harsh social times in this place we call, and will fight for, home.   I am currently 28 years old, and I have a strong urge to do whatever it takes to prepare for the unknown, to protect my wife and I against anything that rears its ugly head, and most …


Economics and Investing:

The future and spot prices of precious metals took another dip on Friday, but the supplies remain tight in the physical market. Bottom line: The COMEX may be rigged but the physical market price doesn’t lie. Buy on the dips! Silver Prices, Inflation and Living With the Long Term EMU plot curdles as creditors seize Cyprus gold reserves Now He’s After Your 401(k): The White House pulls a switcheroo on retirement savings accounts. Items from The Economatrix: If Bullion Were Not A Threat Government Would Not Attack It Secret FDIC Plan To Loot Bank Accounts Crash Indicator:  Mom And Pop …


Odds ‘n Sods:

A reminder that Safecastle is currently running a semi-annual 25% off sale on Mountain House canned long term storage foods, through April 15th. Check it out.    o o o Got a chainsaw? SurvivalBlog’s Mike Williamson spotted this: A Finnish style log camp stove.    o o o A good introductory field training video from SouthernPrepper1: Hand and Arm Signals    o o o Five Ways To Charge Your Phone In An Emergency    o o o Some interesting lessons here about “needs” versus “wants”: When Home Is a Campus Parking Lot


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

“Remember this, and shew yourselves men: bring [it] again to mind, O ye transgressors. Remember the former things of old: for I [am] God, and [there is] none else; [I am] God, and [there is] none like me, Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times [the things] that are not [yet] done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure: Calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executeth my counsel from a far country: yea, I have spoken [it], I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed [it], …


Notes from JWR:

I am quite concerned that S. 649 (“The Public Safety And Second Amendment Rights Protection Act”) might be approved by the Senate. A filibuster attempt failed. So now the only viable chance of stopping it is to cram it full of “Poison Pill” amendments. Please contact your Senators TODAY, and urge them to load up this bill with as many amendments as possible, to block its passage. My suggested amendments are: 1.) Redefine an “Antique” gun as any gun over 80 years old ((t is currently frozen at an arbitrary 1898 threshold), 2.) Re-open the NFA registry, allowing new transferable …


How I Got Started Prepping, by Gary S.

You may be reading this and have not made the decision to get started.  You may be facing some of the same challenges I had or you may have your own.  I want to encourage you to find ways to overcome your obstacles.  Getting started is the biggest step. My family and I have always led a very frugal life.  My wife and I both work, and I have a second job as well.  The grocery bill stays under $30 per week through couponing and eating-in.  Money has gone into savings in case of emergency and we finally have a …


Letter Re: Details Emerging on the Outlaw Maine Hermit

Hey Jim, This guy lived within 30 miles from me for 27 years. An interesting story to be sure. I’d like to bail him out just for the chance to talk but for $5,000 it would be too expensive. This is not wilderness. It is a 30 minute walk from Pine Tree Camp – I have been there a few times. My buddy in high school worked there as a cook. Here is some news coverage about him, from another source. Keep up the good work. – Bubby JWR Replies: After you wrote me to mention this, I found an …


Letter Re: Ham Radio Standardization for Survivalbloggers?

Dear JWR, I read the Ham Radio Standardization Article with great interest.  Most preppers are integrating some type of VHF/UHF communications into their plans.  These communications could be MURS, FRS, GMRS, or Amateur (Ham) radio.  In a March 2, 2013 CNET article by Declan McCullagh, I read some rather unsettling information.  In detailing some of DHS’s specifications for their version of the Predator Drone, the author states: “CBP’s specifications say that signals interception and direction-finding technology must work from 30MHz to 3GHz in the radio spectrum. That sweeps in the GSM and CDMA frequencies used by mobile phones, which are …