Category: Current Events & Politics

Letter: Tor Software Vulnerability

HJL, A recent article detailed the FBI using secret software to exploit vulnerability in the Tor Browser. The government set up a child porn site in the dark web and nabbed some folks that were using Tor. Agents used a “Network Investigative Tool,” or NIT to identify information from people who logged into the porn site. This is found in an article in the Seattle Times paper of Dec. 14th. The government refuses to detail the workings of the secret software. – D.C. JWR Replies: The editors of SurvivalBlog certainly don’t condone child pornography, but the case that you cite …


Guest Article: Surviving A Collapse: The Gold and Silver Game, by Capt. William E. Simpson II

Do Americans really need to worry about a financial collapse in world money markets leading to national rioting and chaos? History shows it has happened before in many countries around the world and many so-called experts say we do, but they are leaving out the most important details. Of course, when the media voices the opinions of the “experts”, that alone builds some worry into financial markets. Some astute observers may ask if this is by design and if by doing so they intentionally create niche markets for the products and services they sell related to gold and silver hedges …


Two Letters: Contaminated Water in Corpus Christi, Texas

Mr. Rawles and Mr. Latimer, As you may have seen in the news, the city of Corpus Christi has, yet again, been the subject of contaminated water. Over the last ~18 months, Corpus Christi has had a series of problems (five or six water boil notices, no drink advisory, et cetera) with the municipal water supply related to E.coli, low chlorine, high chlorine, and most recently chemical contamination Indulin AA-86 Asphalt Emulsion. I began reading/following the SurvivalBlog several years ago and at a minimum keep a “go box” action packer for hurricane evacuations, et cetera. I have a small amount …


Letter Re: Silver/Swiss Francs/Gold

Hi, sir! I just listened to an interview Mr. James gave on the XX2 Spotlight Report and wanted to ask either you or he a question. I have been following the economy for quite some time and now, as Mr. Trump prepares to enter office (if he actually gets in!), I am getting nervous about the banks. I heard Mr. James mention silver and swiss francs but not gold, and then he mentioned paypal. I have none of the above! I have no idea HOW to buy silver, gold, et cetera, and an investor I met in passing the other …


How To Talk Politics, Preserve Unity, And Focus On Preparedness, by C.B.

Being American once meant surviving through extraordinary difficulty and thriving in the cradle of extraordinary promise. Beating the odds stood as a badge of honor worn proudly along with the red, white, and blue. Today, the need for mental toughness hasn’t diminished, but the payoff for perseverance is hardly the same. The gauntlet is a heavy burden to bear. Between unemployment, underemployment, increasing taxes, Constitutional mutiny, civil unrest, deteriorating returns on educational investment, family unit destruction, and an elite few staging the destiny of the entire planet, the citizenry has grown restless with washed up political promises. In the age …


Letter Re: Dakota Access Pipeline Update

HJL, We went to Bismarck this weekend and had chance to get a bit more information. In talking to one of the “protesters”, he is paid $1500 per week with legal and medical costs covered. In addition, he receives a bonus each time he is arrested. Their encampment receives supplies and propane for free with multiple deliveries each week. He looks on it as a job, and this is not his first protest. In other news, we are expecting a killer cold front this week and the state of North Dakota has plans in place to shelter and feed the …


Letter Re: SARs and CTRs

Hugh, Regarding L.O.’s letter and “don’t act suspicious and you won’t be suspected”, SARs and CTRs are required by federal law. CTRs for any cash transaction for $10,000 or more are required. This is also true of a cash transaction at a jeweler, car dealer, et cetera. Also, in high crime areas (drug areas), the bank may be required to report any cash transaction over any amount set by a federal agency. For a time, in Eastern KY, all transactions over $3000 required a CTR. These are done without the customer’s knowledge or permission, usually after the transaction is completed, …


Letter Re: Dakota Access Pipeline

As a resident of North Dakota and having to hear about this every day, the facts are: The pipeline is in a corridor with another older line that goes under the water (90 feet below the riverbed); The water intake for the reservation is a moot point. The old intake at Ft. Yates will be replaced on 1/1/17 with an intake another 70 miles away from the crossing; The Standing Rock tribe was asked for input on the pipeline at least six times, and they never bothered to show up; During the design of the line, it was rerouted in …


Letter Re: Safe Deposit Boxes

My mother was visiting me when she saw the post man deliver a certified mail gold coin delivery. She immediately said, “You should get a safe deposit box.” I tried to explain several things to her: 1) The Patriot Act from almost 14 or 15 years ago gives the federal government the legal right to open any safe deposit box and seize the contents, 2) FDR explained the rationale behind his 1933 bank holiday in the first fireside chat where the government seized precious metals, so “yes” it has happened here before, and 3) (here’s where my argument gets iffy.) …


Letter Re: What is Your (HJL and JWR) Take on the Dakota Access Issue?

I’m having difficulty understanding the Dakota Access issue. What is your take on the situation? The reporting that I’ve seen has been scarce and one-sided. I thought I read that the initial proposed route was outside of sacred land, but the proposal was rejected. This prompted the police to intervene. Recently I saw the new route would go right through a large watershed area. Understandably the Indigenous People are concerned. Is this truly police overstepping their bounds and once again violating trust with Indigenous Peoples yet again? I’ve been in and out of the hospital recently, so if you covered …


Seven Warnings to the Progressive Feminist, by J.E.

Considering we are at the precipice of the possibility for the first female, militant feminist to take control of the greatest country in the world, I thought this article appropriately timed. Feminists, who may read this, you need to consider some serious questions. Are you honestly prepared to endure the reality of the feminist ideology lived out to its fullest? What would this even look like? If this is a concept you haven’t pondered fully, would you consider listening to a well researched argument against the suicidal movement of militant feminism? Moreover, are you willing to listen without judgment rather …


Thoughts On An Often Misunderstood Caliber, by R.R.

I want to share some information regarding an often misunderstood and maligned caliber, which I recently began learning more about after coming across information on the Fort Hood shooting while studying the ballistics of the shooting. The FN 57X28mm What is FN 5.7X28mm? This is a round specifically designed for a class of weapons called PDWs– personal defense weapons. It’s intended for supporting troops to replace their pistols with something half the size of an M16 but with enough capacity and punch to defeat a helmet or soft body armor, and it’s a significant step up from a pistol or …


Letter Re: Buying Krugerrands

Hugh, With regard to purchasing Krugerrands as opposed to American Gold Eagle (AGE) coins or Canadian Maple Leaf (CML) coins results in some states such as mine (in the American Redoubt, thank God) not charging sales tax on collector coins, but they do on bullion. Since Krugerrands do not bear a (symbolic) monetary denomination (like AGEs and CMLs do), and only have a gold weight and fineness, they are taxed as bullion, which usually drives their cost above the others when tax is taken into account. – KW


Giving Thanks in 2016, by Sarah Latimer

I don’t know about you, but I greatly enjoy the “Quote of the Day” section of SurvivalBlog. They often put a big smile on my face and get a “wow” response. Some people really know how to put use words to put a situation into perspective. Recently Hugh posted one such quote that was quite timely. The quote seemed so relevant to our experiences of late, with our nation’s liberals literally breaking down in tears, marching, and going so far as to turn their backs on our nation by leaving and giving up their citizenship and even some who are …


Letter Re: What are Your Thoughts on Required AR Registration in California?

Gentlemen, I live in California. After 12/31/2016, no California resident may purchase an “Assault Weapon” (AR-15, AK, et cetera). Those who own them on that date may keep them, but we must register them on the California Department of Justice website by 12/31/2017. I am trying to decide whether to register or dispose of such weapons and buy something like a Mini-14, which is not considered to be an “Assault Weapon’ by the state. If I own such weapons, I will register them. Others may choose a different course, but I would not. I am planning to become a resident …