Preparedness Notes for Friday — May 17, 2024

On May 17, 1897, the first successful submarine that could run submerged for any considerable distance and combined electric and gasoline engines (USS Holland, SS-1) was launched in the US by its designer John Philip Holland.

On this day in 1769, George Washington launched a legislative salvo at Great Britain’s fiscal and judicial attempts to maintain its control over the American colonies. He brought a package of non-importation resolutions, drafted by George Mason, before the Virginia House of Burgesses. This initiated a chain of events that led to Britain’s House of Lords demanding that men involved in the extra-legal Massachusetts convention of towns be tried in England. Britain’s plan backfired and created an American identity where before there had been none.

Sale Ends Tonight! All of my knife and bayonet inventory is on sale, at Elk Creek Company. This sale ends at midnight Pacific Time, tonight, Friday, May 17th, so order soon.

Today’s feature is a short guest piece selected by JWR  that was authored by metals analyst Hubert Moolman, of South Africa.

We are seeking entries for Round 112 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. More than $875,000 worth of prizes have been awarded since we started running this contest. In 2023, we polled blog readers, asking for suggested article topics. Refer to that poll if you haven’t yet chosen an article topic. Round 112 ends on May 31st, so get busy writing and e-mail us your entry. Remember that there is a 1,500-word minimum, and that articles on practical “how-to” skills for survival have an advantage in the judging.



Silver During a Debt Crisis and Monetary Reset, by Hubert Moolman

The 1944 Bretton Woods agreement established a new international monetary order after significant international events.

The creation of the Federal Reserve Bank and the so-called Second World War were among the most important events and actions that contributed to bringing the world to a situation where a new international order was required and possible due to excessive debt levels.

The world was in a vulnerable condition, and therefore some key nations could force upon it a new monetary order—one that was not in the best interest of the majority but of those few of a special ownership class.
Below is a long-term chart of interest rates:

 

 

In the chart, I have attempted to show some of the key events and actions that led up to the 1944 Bretton Woods Agreement and how this rhymes with “Peak Debt.” Furthermore, this forms a pattern that appears to be setting up for the next monetary reset.

The creation of central banks all over the world was a key element in setting up this control structure. Just like the US dollar is the pivot in the current world monetary order, setting up the Federal Reserve Bank of the US was crucial for the success of this enterprise in taking control of the world.

Central banks are useful tools for the proliferation of credit. The creation of the Federal Reserve Bank (and others) was the mechanism by which debt levels could be significantly increased to the point of vulnerability required for a monetary reset.

From the creation of the Federal Reserve Bank to the bottom of interest rates in 1941 (0 to 4) a series of events are highlighted, which are now possibly being replicated, starting from the 1971 gold bankruptcy (0) to where we are today just after the all-time low of interest rates (4).

It is very plausible to seek a new start (Jubilee) after debt levels reach a certain amount of saturation (the point of vulnerability). After years of credit proliferation, the world is again ripe for a new monetary order that could be forced upon it due to exceedingly high debt levels and the spoils of war.

In many ways, the current war between the West and Russia (and others) is for dominance of the next world monetary construct. We should be looking for this “reset” as US dollar dominance decreases and this current war concludes.

It is almost inevitable that gold will play a major role in the future monetary system or monetary systems. However, the big surprise is likely to be silver. I have explained many times how silver is the opposite or antithesis of debt; therefore, it will naturally feature heavily when there is a massive debt problem to be solved.

During the previous reset (1944), silver was at a different point of its cycle, which probably prevented it from playing a concrete part in the new monetary order. However, now silver is more likely to be appreciated for its monetary properties and could therefore feature heavily in a new reset (a reset that will actually work). See this article for more on the coming monetary reset as well as the role silver could play.

Below is a chart showing the performance of gold, silver, the S&P500, and the Dow Jones after the last major interest rate bottom (1941).

 

 

 

Silver outperformed gold and the stock market at least a decade after the major interest rate bottom. There is also a very good chance that this will be the case again.

The 2020 and 1942 all-time lows in interest rates are extremely important events that line up with other key inflection points, and this is critical for understanding issues regarding the coming monetary collapse. I discuss this and more at my new monetary reset blog substack.

Editor’s Closing Note:  Since 2018, I’ve posted five articles written by Hubert Moolman, with his permission. His analysis is sound. Hub offers a Premium Service (by subscription) as well as a Silver Fractal Analysis Report if you are a serious investor in the gold and silver markets.



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 some moves in commodities markets. (See the Commodities section.)

Precious Metals:

As the Dollar Falters, Gold Becomes Insurance, Not Speculation.

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Gold’s Action Last Week Strongly Points to China.

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Why We Are At The Start Of A Multi-Year Gold Bull Market.

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U.S. Representative Introduces Bill To End Federal Taxation On Gold And Silver.

Economy & Finance:

From Forbes Advisor: May 2024 Stock Market Forecast.

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CNN, by way of X/Twitter: “On the question of who voters trust more to deal with the economy, Trump has a 22-point lead over Biden … This marks a 15-point bump for Trump compared to the same poll in 2020.”

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From The WSJ: Suddenly There Aren’t Enough Babies. The Whole World Is Alarmed. Here is a pericope:

“The world is at a startling demographic milestone. Sometime soon, the global fertility rate will drop below the point needed to keep population constant. It may have already happened.

Fertility is falling almost everywhere, for women across all levels of income, education and labor-force participation. The falling birthrates come with huge implications for the way people live, how economies grow and the standings of the world’s superpowers.

In high-income nations, fertility fell below replacement in the 1970s, and took a leg down during the pandemic. It’s dropping in developing countries, too. India surpassed China as the most populous country last year, yet its fertility is now below replacement.”

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Archegos boss to go on trial for fraud.

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Why Wednesday’s CPI report is taking on outsize importance in the financial market.

Continue reading“Economics & Investing For Preppers”





Preparedness Notes for Thursday — May 16, 2024

On May 16, 1920, French heroine Joan of Arc was canonized as a saint by Pope Benedict XV.

On May 16, 1997, Zaire’s president, Mobutu Sese Seko, ended 32 years of dictatorial rule, giving control of the country to rebel forces.

SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

Today we present another entry for Round 112 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include:

First Prize:

  1. 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.
  2. A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate. This can be used for any of their one, two, or three-day course (a $1,095 value),
  3. A Peak Refuel “Wasatch Pack” variety of 60 servings of premium freeze-dried breakfasts and dinners in individual meal pouches — a whopping 21,970 calories, all made and packaged in the USA — courtesy of Ready Made Resources (a $359 value),
  4. American Gunsmithing Institute (AGI) is providing a $300 certificate good towards any of their DVD training courses.
  5. Two sets of The Civil Defense Manual, (in two volumes) — a $193 value — kindly donated by the author, Jack Lawson.

Second Prize:

  1. A SIRT STIC AR-15/M4 Laser Training Package, courtesy of Next Level Training, that has a combined retail value of $679
  2. Two 1,000-foot spools of full mil-spec U.S.-made 750 paracord (in-stock colors only) from www.TOUGHGRID.com (a $240 value).
  3. A $200 credit from Military Surplus LLC that can be applied to purchase and/or shipping costs for any of their in-stock merchandise, including full mil-spec ammo cans, Rothco clothing and field gear, backpacks, optics, compact solar panels, first aid kits, and more.
  4. Two Super Survival Pack seed collections, a $150 value, courtesy of Seed for Security, LLC.
  5. A transferable $150 FRN purchase credit from Elk Creek Company, toward the purchase of any pre-1899 antique gun. There is no paperwork required for delivery of pre-1899 guns into most states, making them the last bastion of firearms purchasing privacy!

Third Prize:

  1. A Berkey Light water filter, courtesy of USA Berkey Filters (a $305 value),
  2. A $300 gift certificate from Good2Goco.com, good for any of their products: Home freeze dryers, pressure canners, Country Living grain mills, Emergency Essentials foods, and much more.
  3. Three sets each of made-in-USA regular and wide-mouth reusable canning lids. (This is a total of 300 lids and 600 gaskets.) This prize is courtesy of Harvest Guard (a $270 value)
  4. A transferable $150 FRN purchase credit from Elk Creek Company, toward the purchase of any pre-1899 antique gun.

More than $875,000 worth of prizes have been awarded since we started running this contest. In 2023, we polled blog readers, asking for suggested article topics. Refer to that poll if you haven’t yet chosen an article topic. Round 112 ends on May 31st, so get busy writing and e-mail us your entry. Remember that there is a 1,500-word minimum, and that articles on practical “how-to” skills for survival have an advantage in the judging.



Practical Prepping, by K.F.

I’ve heard it said that you can make a small fortune in horse breeding, if you start with a large fortune. Prepping is a lot like that, too. You can be ready for almost anything if you throw enough money at the problem set that is prepping.

But what do you do if you don’t have much money? What can you do if you live on a quarter acre lot, and you have no chance of ever upgrading? About fifteen years ago, I met somebody like that who has given me some answers to these questions.

C.L. was the first prepper I ever met. She is a CERT team instructor, which is how we met. We have a shared faith in Jesus, and a shared interest in amateur radio, which led to a discussion of prepping. She was the first person I met who used the terms “prepping” and “bugging out”. Given my upbringing by frugal immigrant parents who grew up during the Great Depression, much of what she talked about resonated with me, and caught my interest.

We didn’t agree one hundred percent, though there was plenty of common ground. When she talked about bugging out, I was struggling to find a diplomatic way to say “you’re out of your mind”. In the end, I didn’t say anything, but later, I invited her to go camping for two days for an amateur radio activity. While she did a great job on the radio stuff, it was pretty obvious that camping was difficult for her, and not something she enjoyed. In a subsequent discussion, she recognized that bugging out probably isn’t the best idea if she finds camping difficult and stressful.Continue reading“Practical Prepping, by K.F.”



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 military robot “dogs.” (Photo above is courtesy of Draper.com.)

The USMC’s Rifle-Armed Robot Dogs

Over at The WarzoneRifle-Armed Robot Dogs Now Being Tested By Marine Special Operators. The artocle begins:

“The United States Marine Forces Special Operations Command (MARSOC) looks to be the first organization within the U.S. military to be using rifle-wielding “robot dogs.” Other armed robotic K-9s have been explored by the U.S. military and shown off by foreign countries, in the recent past.

Eric Shell, head of business development at Onyx Industries which supplied the gun system for the dogs, confirmed to TWZ on the floor of SOF Week that they are in use with MARSOC. Shell noted that MARSOC has two robot dogs fitted with gun systems based on Onyx’s SENTRY remote weapon system (RWS) — one in 7.62x39mm caliber, and another in 6.5mm Creedmoor caliber. It’s unclear precisely how many other robotic dogs MARSOC may have at present, however, it appears likely that the two equipped with SENTRY are being tested by the command.”

Solar Storm Knocks Out Farmers’ Tractor GPS Systems

This came to me by way of Tam’s View From The Porch blog: Solar Storm Knocks Out Farmers’ Tractor GPS Systems During Peak Planting Season. An excerpt:

“The solar storm that brought the aurora borealis to large parts of the United States this weekend also broke critical GPS and precision farming functionality in tractors and agricultural equipment during a critical point of the planting season, 404 Media has learned. These outages caused many farmers to fully stop their planting operations for the moment.

One chain of John Deere dealerships warned farmers that the accuracy of some of the systems used by tractors are “extremely compromised,” and that farmers who planted crops during periods of inaccuracy are going to face problems when they go to harvest…”

The USSR Was Better Prepared for Collapse Than U.S.

Pete in Switzerland suggested this piece: Closing the ‘Collapse Gap’: the USSR was better prepared for collapse than the US.

Continue reading“The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods”



The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“All variety of created objects which represent order and life in the universe could happen only by the willful reasoning of its original Creator, whom I call the ‘Lord God’.” – Isaac Newton



Preparedness Notes for Wednesday — May 15, 2024

On May 15, 1889, the Exposition Universelle (World’s Fair) in Paris opened with the recently completed Eiffel Tower serving as the entrance arch. The elevators in the tower were not yet ready, so intrepid visitors needed to climb 1,710 stairs to get to the top.

On May 15, 1672, the first copyright law was enacted by Massachusetts.

I have all of my knife and bayonet inventory on sale, at Elk Creek Company. This sale ends on Friday,  May 17th, so order soon.

SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

Today we present another entry for Round 112 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include:

First Prize:

  1. 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.
  2. A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate. This can be used for any of their one, two, or three-day course (a $1,095 value),
  3. A Peak Refuel “Wasatch Pack” variety of 60 servings of premium freeze-dried breakfasts and dinners in individual meal pouches — a whopping 21,970 calories, all made and packaged in the USA — courtesy of Ready Made Resources (a $359 value),
  4. American Gunsmithing Institute (AGI) is providing a $300 certificate good towards any of their DVD training courses.
  5. Two sets of The Civil Defense Manual, (in two volumes) — a $193 value — kindly donated by the author, Jack Lawson.

Second Prize:

  1. A SIRT STIC AR-15/M4 Laser Training Package, courtesy of Next Level Training, that has a combined retail value of $679
  2. Two 1,000-foot spools of full mil-spec U.S.-made 750 paracord (in-stock colors only) from www.TOUGHGRID.com (a $240 value).
  3. A $200 credit from Military Surplus LLC that can be applied to purchase and/or shipping costs for any of their in-stock merchandise, including full mil-spec ammo cans, Rothco clothing and field gear, backpacks, optics, compact solar panels, first aid kits, and more.
  4. Two Super Survival Pack seed collections, a $150 value, courtesy of Seed for Security, LLC.
  5. A transferable $150 FRN purchase credit from Elk Creek Company, toward the purchase of any pre-1899 antique gun. There is no paperwork required for delivery of pre-1899 guns into most states, making them the last bastion of firearms purchasing privacy!

Third Prize:

  1. A Berkey Light water filter, courtesy of USA Berkey Filters (a $305 value),
  2. A $300 gift certificate from Good2Goco.com, good for any of their products: Home freeze dryers, pressure canners, Country Living grain mills, Emergency Essentials foods, and much more.
  3. Three sets each of made-in-USA regular and wide-mouth reusable canning lids. (This is a total of 300 lids and 600 gaskets.) This prize is courtesy of Harvest Guard (a $270 value)
  4. A transferable $150 FRN purchase credit from Elk Creek Company, toward the purchase of any pre-1899 antique gun.

More than $875,000 worth of prizes have been awarded since we started running this contest. In 2023, we polled blog readers, asking for suggested article topics. Refer to that poll if you haven’t yet chosen an article topic. Round 112 ends on May 31st, so get busy writing and e-mail us your entry. Remember that there is a 1,500-word minimum, and that articles on practical “how-to” skills for survival have an advantage in the judging.



Reconsidering Rule .308 – Part 2, by Tunnel Rabbit

(Continued from Part 1. This concludes the article.)
I can reload, so it is possible have a pile of very accurate 77 grain OTMs reserved for this kind of work as a part of a contingency plan that excludes the use a bolt gun. At 65 cents per round, I would get a pile and not let my stock go below 500 rounds. This is not blasting/training ammo, use the 55-grain bullet for that, but we would need to use up part of the case getting familiar with the round. The barrel twist rate should be 1:8 or better yet, 1:7. If your current upper does not, then get a spare upper with a 1:7 twist 20-inch barrel and leave the scope on it.

The 75/77 grain .223 ammunition would also be a better fight stopper than 55 grain FMJ, as the bullet tumbles and leaves a wider wound channel. And because it is a soft match bullet, there will also be some expansion and fragmentation that typically does not occur with FMJ. This means it can be a dual-use ammunition, for up close home defense ranges and for extended ranges.Continue reading“Reconsidering Rule .308 – Part 2, by Tunnel Rabbit”



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.

Scientists design super-battery made with cheap, readily affordable chemical element, Na — Salt-based cell has surprisingly good energy density and charges in seconds.

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Over at the great Rural Revolution blog: Poliphobia?

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Reader R.K. suggested a DIY YouTube page called Invention Incarnate that includes these two interesting videos:

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Reader D.S.V. mentioned this news published at a substack: Britain Refuses to Sign WHO Pandemic Treaty.

Continue reading“SurvivalBlog Readers’ & Editors’ Snippets”



The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“What defines us as Christians is not most profoundly that we have come to know him but that he took note of us and made us his own.” –  John Piper, Think: The Life of the Mind and the Love of God



Preparedness Notes for Tuesday — May 14, 2024

On May 14, 1853, Gail Borden, a land surveyor, newspaper publisher, and inventor, patented his process for condensed milk.

May 14th, 1686 was the birthday of Daniel Gabriel Fahrenheit, who invented the thermometer.

On May 14th, 1948, in Tel Aviv, Jewish Agency Chairman David Ben-Gurion proclaimed the State of Israel, reestablishing the Jewish state after 2000 years.

I noticed that my daughter-in-law’s Pilgrim & Patriot line of T-shirts has been expanded. Take a look at her clever designs.

SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

Today we present another entry for Round 112 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include:

First Prize:

  1. 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.
  2. A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate. This can be used for any of their one, two, or three-day course (a $1,095 value),
  3. A Peak Refuel “Wasatch Pack” variety of 60 servings of premium freeze-dried breakfasts and dinners in individual meal pouches — a whopping 21,970 calories, all made and packaged in the USA — courtesy of Ready Made Resources (a $359 value),
  4. American Gunsmithing Institute (AGI) is providing a $300 certificate good towards any of their DVD training courses.
  5. Two sets of The Civil Defense Manual, (in two volumes) — a $193 value — kindly donated by the author, Jack Lawson.

Second Prize:

  1. A SIRT STIC AR-15/M4 Laser Training Package, courtesy of Next Level Training, that has a combined retail value of $679
  2. Two 1,000-foot spools of full mil-spec U.S.-made 750 paracord (in-stock colors only) from www.TOUGHGRID.com (a $240 value).
  3. A $200 credit from Military Surplus LLC that can be applied to purchase and/or shipping costs for any of their in-stock merchandise, including full mil-spec ammo cans, Rothco clothing and field gear, backpacks, optics, compact solar panels, first aid kits, and more.
  4. Two Super Survival Pack seed collections, a $150 value, courtesy of Seed for Security, LLC.
  5. A transferable $150 FRN purchase credit from Elk Creek Company, toward the purchase of any pre-1899 antique gun. There is no paperwork required for delivery of pre-1899 guns into most states, making them the last bastion of firearms purchasing privacy!

Third Prize:

  1. A Berkey Light water filter, courtesy of USA Berkey Filters (a $305 value),
  2. A $300 gift certificate from Good2Goco.com, good for any of their products: Home freeze dryers, pressure canners, Country Living grain mills, Emergency Essentials foods, and much more.
  3. Three sets each of made-in-USA regular and wide-mouth reusable canning lids. (This is a total of 300 lids and 600 gaskets.) This prize is courtesy of Harvest Guard (a $270 value)
  4. A transferable $150 FRN purchase credit from Elk Creek Company, toward the purchase of any pre-1899 antique gun.

More than $875,000 worth of prizes have been awarded since we started running this contest. In 2023, we polled blog readers, asking for suggested article topics. Refer to that poll if you haven’t yet chosen an article topic. Round 112 ends on May 31st, so get busy writing and e-mail us your entry. Remember that there is a 1,500-word minimum, and that articles on practical “how-to” skills for survival have an advantage in the judging.



Reconsidering Rule .308 – Part 1, by Tunnel Rabbit

The situation in the near future will dictate a course of action (COA) or tactics, and your choice of rifles. My perspective is predicated on a remote rural forested setting with occasional mid-range shots that might exceed 700 yards. Many miles of lonely county paved roads, and dirt Forest Service roads are possible opportunities for an extended layered defense that we may need to use during a WROL situation. Bubba and the Backwoods Boys who hunt out here are a serious concern as they have been killing big game all their lives, and they could use game trails to come at us. We need to deny them entrance to our area, so they can not use the game trails. Our threats and terrain could be radically different from each other, and so should our methods differ.  Thinking in terms of only two domains would be a constrictive paradigm of either this or that limits our options from the onset and may steer us toward an unfortunate end.

As an example of an impractical choice that would have bragging rights and a grin attached, I might boast that this is the rifle of my choice as it best fits what I might want in a Battle Rifle, if it could handle a high pressure cartridge and have a 1:10 twist that is ideal for .30 caliber 200 grain bullets. Check out BCA’s HUNTMASTER. This baby could give one fire superiority.  Alas, it is only an ideal and a figment of my imagination.  We must be pragmatic and do the best with what we got, or might have in the future.
Continue reading“Reconsidering Rule .308 – Part 1, by Tunnel Rabbit”



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 region that are of interest to preppers and survivalists. Today, a special look at the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) in the American Redoubt generated by the recent major solar storms.

Region-Wide

Stunning pictures of the northern lights captured across the northwest.

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KREM 2 viewers capture northern lights show around the Inland Northwest.

Idaho

Precinct Wars: MAGA Patriots vs. RINOs.

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Northern lights create dazzling spectacle in the eastern Idaho sky.

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Video: Aurora borealis North Central Idaho, May 10, 2024.

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Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) in Idaho, May 11th, 2024.

Continue reading“SurvivalBlog’s News From The American Redoubt “