Letter Re: Welding With Car Batteries

Mr. Williamson,

I can verify that this will work. Using two car batteries I field repaired a bracket for a hydraulic water drilling rig in Honduras. I have a few comments on the linked video to make it easier for SurvivalBlog readers. First, use an old wire coat hanger for your welding rod. Second, Mark in the video appeared to swap the polarity of the electrode before and after. Positive DC to the stick (electrode) puts more heat into the workpiece, negative DC to the electrode puts more heat into the stick (for thinner workpieces). Lastly be sure to use a second jumper cable between the batteries so you can get the highest power at the workpiece. This is also something you will want to practice on a Saturday afternoon in your garage before you need it, and don’t forget to toss an inexpensive pair of welding goggles in your toolbox!

DD in CO

Economics and Investing:

GOLD & SILVER: Up In A Sea of Red… Get Used To Days Like This

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The Bankers’ India Gold Grab

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Items from Professor Preponomics:

US News

The “Services” Based Economy Delusion (Contra Corner) Excerpt: “In short, the service economy may well be doing fine, though I doubt it, but in the end it won’t be nearly enough to save anyone.”

Macy’s to Cut Up To 4,800 Jobs After Weak Holiday Sales (ABC News) The real data is incoming no matter the tendency to blame the weather. Excerpt: “Macy’s said that unseasonably warm weather that extended through December was the biggest culprit and hurt shopper demand for cold-weather items, from boots to coats. That forced Macy’s to step up discounts to clear out mounds of merchandise.”

Crude Below $33 as Oil Prices Fall to Lowest in a Decade (Business Insider) Excerpt: “Oil prices plunged to levels not seen in more than a decade on Thursday, hammered by the continuing turmoil in China, the world’s second biggest oil consumer.”

Puerto Rico is Preparing for Legal Action from Creditors (CNBC) I do believe the expression goes something like this: Let the lawsuits begin! Excerpt: “Puerto Rico is bracing for impending lawsuits brought by its creditors following the commonwealth’s second default in the past five months.”

Opinion: The Banking System Faces an Existential Threat — and It’s Not Bitcoin (Market Watch) Interesting history, an informative read, and the radical idea that banks should have to back all loans with 100% in reserves… Excerpt: “When global crisis finally struck again in 2008 it was different from 1929 in that there was no world war to blame for the global economic imbalances; this crisis followed an extended period of the banks having had things pretty much their own way. Instead, it was a giant version of the regular crises inherent in the system. This led to the thinking that it is the banks, and indeed the system they created around themselves, that need changing.”

International News

Market Confusion in China Has Investors Fearing the Worst (Reuters) Excerpt: “Whether China’s latest market upheaval is by design or default, it’s little surprise that investors are increasingly assuming the worst.”

Venezuela’s Bizarre System of Exchange Rates (Mises Institute) Excerpt: “Venezuela is currently going through its worst crisis in history, replete with an endless list of interesting problems. Foremost among these are severe shortages in even the most basic of necessities. Economists have used these shortages as textbook examples to illustrate the pernicious effects of price controls.”

Personal Economics and Household Finance

Most Americans are One Paycheck from the Street (Market Watch) Excerpt: “Approximately 63% of Americans have no emergency savings…”

Odds ‘n Sods:

Internal War Is Now On The Horizon For America – B.B.

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Max (of Max Velocity Tactical) wrote in with a link of his view in the Malheur situation.
Incidentally, Max also has a new book out – Patriot Rising: The Unbroken available both as a paperback and a Kindle version.

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SurvivalBlog reader J.B. sent in this interesting take on “North Korea’s H-Bomb: The Lesson You Haven’t Thought Of” – Certainly something to chew on as this election cycle heats up.

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Cyber-Attack On Ukraine Proves US Power Grid Is Vulnerable Photo of Andrew Follett – Sent in by G.P.

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Mike Williamson, SurvivalBlog’s Editor At Large, sent in this link to a humorous discussion on ar15.com about winning the lottery. All kidding aside, there are some serious OPSEC lessons that can be learned from past lottery winners.

Notes for Thursday – January 07, 2016

This is the birthday of several notables: Senator Rand Paul (born 1963); Cresson Kearny (born 1914, died December 18, 2003); and Bent Faurschou-Hviid, known as The Flame (born 1921, died October 18, 1944). The Flame was a red-haired Danish resistance fighter in the Holger Danske Group during World War II. His exploits were dramatized in the movie Flame and Citron.

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Today, we present another entry for Round 62 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The nearly $12,000 worth of prizes for this round include:

First Prize:

  1. A Tactical Self-Contained 2-Series Solar Power Generator system from Always Empowered. This compact starter power system is packaged in a wheeled O.D. green EMP-shielded Pelican hard case (a $1,700 value),
  2. A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate that is good for any one, two, or three day course (a $1,195 value),
  3. A course certificate from onPoint Tactical for the prize winner’s choice of three-day civilian courses, excluding those restricted for military or government teams. Three day onPoint courses normally cost $795,
  4. DRD Tactical is providing a 5.56 NATO QD Billet upper with a hammer forged, chromlined barrel and a hard case to go with your own AR lower. It will allow any standard AR type rifle to have quick change barrel, which can be assembled in less than one minute without the use of any tools and a compact carry capability in a hard case or 3-day pack (an $1,100 value),
  5. Gun Mag Warehouse is providing 20 Magpul PMAG 30-rd Magazines (a value of $300) and a Gun Mag Warehouse T-Shirt; (an equivalent prize will be awarded for residents in states with magazine restrictions),
  6. Two cases of Mountain House freeze dried assorted entrees in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources (a $350 value),
  7. The Ark Institute is donating a non-GMO, non-hybrid vegetable seed package (enough for two families of four) plus seed storage materials, a CD-ROM of Geri Guidetti’s book “Build Your Ark! How to Prepare for Self Reliance in Uncertain Times”, and two bottles of Potassium Iodate (a $325 retail value),
  8. A $250 gift certificate good for any product from Sunflower Ammo,
  9. KellyKettleUSA.com is donating both an AquaBrick water filtration kit and a Stainless Medium Scout Kelly Kettle Complete Kit with a combined retail value of $304, and
  10. Two cases of meals, Ready to Eat (MREs), courtesy of CampingSurvival.com (a $180 value).

Second Prize:

  1. A Glock form factor SIRT laser training pistol and a SIRT AR-15/M4 Laser Training Bolt, courtesy of Next Level Training, which have a combined retail value of $589,
  2. A FloJak EarthStraw Code Red 100-foot well pump system (a $500 value), courtesy of FloJak.com,
  3. A transferable certificate for a two-day Ultimate Bug Out Course from Florida Firearms Training (a $400 value),
  4. A Model 175 Series Solar Generator provided by Quantum Harvest LLC (a $439 value),
  5. A Trekker IV™ Four-Person Emergency Kit from Emergency Essentials (a $250 value),
  6. A $200 gift certificate good towards any books published by PrepperPress.com,
  7. A pre-selected assortment of military surplus gear from CJL Enterprize (a $300 value),
  8. RepackBox is providing a $300 gift certificate to their site, and
  9. Safecastle is providing a package of 10 LifeStraws (a $200 value)

Third Prize:

  1. A Royal Berkey water filter, courtesy of Directive 21 (a $275 value),
  2. A $245 gift certificate from custom knifemaker Jon Kelly Designs, of Eureka, Montana,
  3. A large handmade clothes drying rack, a washboard, and a Homesteading for Beginners DVD, all courtesy of The Homestead Store, with a combined value of $206,
  4. Expanded sets of both washable feminine pads and liners, donated by Naturally Cozy (a $185 retail value),
  5. Two Super Survival Pack seed collections, a $150 value, courtesy of Seed for Security, LLC,
  6. Mayflower Trading is donating a $200 gift certificate for homesteading appliances,
  7. APEX Gun Parts is donating a $250 purchase credit,
  8. Montie Gear is donating a Precision Rest (a $249 value), and
  9. 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).

Round 62 ends on January 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.

Blueprint for Rebuilding- Part 2, by GRC

Security

With the basic necessities provided for by a thriving local economy, specialists can be employed to organize our third bullet point, security. In our pre-Reset cooperative outline we can lay the groundwork for our security strategy. Few families can hire a professional trainer full time. Gym membership for physical fitness or even a group membership at a local gun range are important first steps. The self-defense cooperative’s purpose would be to take this further and secure the services of a qualified professional skilled in physical fitness for all ages and abilities, self-defense techniques, and team building[23]. With the understanding that your young cooperative will probably not be able to hire someone full time, assign a committee to find a contracted security specialist with the critical skills; it should be someone who will attend cooperative meetings and begin training as part of an ongoing program. Make clear your ideas for forming a close knit team and community, even if you choose not to share your fears about the future.

When the Reset does come, your defense expert will have need of a group with your skillset in resource management. At that time you may come to an agreement for full-time service in exchange for resources. The bulk of defense for the fortified community will always lie with the citizen militia. Each man, woman, and teenager must be trained in small group tactics and proper weapons handling. This includes firearms, blades, and hand-to-hand defense. Many experts believe the latter to be most important to the situations we will face in a new dark age. A community must have experts to design the training regimen, enforce physical sparring, and make defensive strategy suggestions to community leaders. Post-Reset, these trainers will need to be mostly full time.

Finally, in matters of security, joining a neighborhood or rural watch program is a place to build relationships[24]. If there is not one in your area, start one. As a cooperative, offer membership to everyone. Do not assume a neighbor is not interested based on any preconceived notions you may hold. Do not worry about influencing those who do not share your views. A watch cooperative would be a welcome source of comfort to all members of the community, not just the prepared. Even before a catastrophic event, there will almost certainly be an uptick in violent crime[25]. A break in by an armed criminal can be just as much an end of the world situation for an individual as an asteroid impact.

These three points– fuel, food, and security– provide a starting place to craft a cooperative around. None of these three are threatening to anyone in your local town or city. In fact, all are quite civically minded and probably will put you into contact with people otherwise afraid to be associated with prepared groups. You need not discuss your vision of the future to find those helpful in achieving your cooperative’s goal of self-reliance. You can merely find common ground on simple matters of living well. Post-Reset, your planning will become clear to those wise enough to understand the danger. Remember, we’re planning for long-term rebuilding, not just short-term survival.

A Path Awaits

Where will we rebuild these communities after the Reset? Perhaps it will be in the places where they once stood, but there are some disadvantages to these locations. Remember our premise is what ought to be. Philosophy will have to take a pause immediately following a collapse, and the prepared need to survive the aftermath in order to build a better tomorrow. The wide open streets and individual buildings of our small town ancestors may not allow us to weather the storms of chaos after a downfall. But where we choose to set roots early in the conflict will give us a leg up in our long-term goals.

For those in rural areas, look to the concrete fortresses premade for you. Don’t have any of those close by? Look again. The grain elevators our model twentieth century cooperatives built still dot the countryside of the Americas. They’re in Australia, also. Some are wooden and wouldn’t fit your needs, but others feature concrete walls several feet thick[10]. Many are five or ten stories high; some are taller than that. Of course, each is dirty and dusty inside, with years of use or neglect and would require a thorough cleaning. It’s a small price to pay for the ability to withdraw to the safety of a reinforced cocoon at night. Once the Reset is clearly upon you, gather your prepared community and build the best earthen berms you can to surround the facility. Utilize the ground close to garden and tend animals, with lookouts on top of the prairie skyscrapers to warn workers of approaching danger. Determine the maximum number you can shelter there, then add to that number for the refugees who may flock to your community. Chances are that most of these places will be abandoned by the time worldwide disaster strikes. Be ready to assume, or barter for, ownership in that instance. In many areas of the country, there is a grain elevator every eight miles along rail road tracks[11] and more along navigable rivers and roads. Be sure to keep a map of any suitable sites, both for secondary shelters and to know where others might be sheltered.

For those in more urban settings, or rural areas without large grain production, search out a century old school building or church. Individual homes will not be safe, so create a hardened target to shelter your cooperative behind real brick and concrete. Study the concept of heimat– a German term not well translated into English [13]. The best definition is the place where you belong. It’s not exactly family and not exactly your town but more of a community. Another term to study– kirchenburgen– is borrowed from the European experience during conflicts, such as the Thirty Years War and Muslim invasions[12]. When pillaging armies rampaged across the countryside, churches were fortified to provide safe haven for otherwise vulnerable peasants; these were a kirchenburgen. In times of crisis you will need a safe place to retreat to in the face of armed parties. A large, determined force could breach the kirchenburgen, but it provides an expensive prize best bypassed. The idea of letting those with bad intentions pass you by in order to attack someone else feels cold hearted, but this will be a time of hard choices. Having a kirchenburgen at the center of your heimat provides your group a chance to carry on with daily chores, taking comfort that they and their loved ones have a safe home to return to. As a reminder, be sure to plan a secure place to house your biofuel refinery.

Religion

Religion may play a part in causing a future catastrophe. It is plausible a man-made disaster could be created by a group claiming to act in their own religion’s interest. Conversely, more Westerners disregard religion from their lives each year[26]. Your friends and neighbors may very well feel the same. Perhaps, you do too. The beauty of a free system is that each person worships as they choose, or chooses not to. However, even those without faith agreed to certain religious-based principles at the founding of America and most Western civilizations. In our example of early twentieth century America, we see a wide array of denominations living peacefully beside humanists. They believed religious freedom was worth fighting for, so too may it be for us. Even without agreement on the afterlife, most agreed to basic principles with regards to right and wrong in this life (i.e. don’t murder, steal, et cetera).

In this matter, you may choose to be proactive. Many clergy are aware of the dangers facing our society but would hesitate in partnering with prepared groups. Instead, simply get to know those in your community. Do not be afraid to make note of beliefs that are common to most religions. When the Reset occurs, be prepared to remind faith leaders of common pillars to rally their people to the common good. This is not a call to modify your own belief system or ask your church to modify traditions and doctrine. It’s quite the opposite. Stay true to your beliefs, but become a blessing to everyone in your community. By the time the Reset occurs, there will probably be fewer clergy present[29]. Steadfast people become a rally point for the despondent. Remember that many will turn to faith in times of crisis. Churches, or organizations such as your well-organized cooperative, that succeed in times of crisis are often those prepared to help. Like it or not, religion has been a major source of both conflict and comfort in rebuilding times. It will be again.

Summary

To most who study history, societal collapse is a foregone conclusion. This is not necessarily a condemnation of our current culture but merely a statement of fact that no empire lasts forever. Every country faces a Great Reset at some point, whether sudden or gradual. Trouble can take many forms, with our current civilization’s most glaring weaknesses being electronic, economic, and environmental. To build a strong future requires a long-term plan for thriving not just surviving.

There are many in your community who share common interests but may not share your vision of a difficult road ahead. Forming a cooperative around gardening, biofuel, or security is a successful strategy for rebuilding local economies while subtly preparing your community for a post-Reset world. This will allow your cooperative to be in the system but not of the system. Your cooperative can also act as an archive of information for others trying to rebuild but lacking knowledge and resources to do so. Helping others is best accomplished by creating a safe and secure community from which to reach out. This can be accomplished by identifying structurally sound facilities to shelter in immediately after a catastrophe. Some examples that will provide a head start in rebuilding include grain elevators, schools, and church buildings. Remember to include tradesmen, such as mechanics, in your cooperative to help create biofuel-powered vehicles and generators. Not only would biodiesel tractors and bulldozers be useful for farming, but tracked and wheeled vehicles can also be modified to help in self-defense.

Stretch your imagination and free your mind from distraction. Remember that very few ever imagined planes would be used as weapons of war on 9/11. What unique local resources do you have to supply and defend your community in a post-Reset world? Most important to remember as you create a blueprint to rebuild, ask yourself “What ought to be?”

References


[10]Farmer’s Tower http://www.mnhs.org/library/tips/history_topics/70peavey.php


[11]Revisiting Montana’s Historic Landscape http://montanahistoriclandscape.com/tag/railroad-corridor/


[12]Fortified Churches of Europe http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/596


[23] Testimony After Catastrophe: Narrating the Traumas of Political Violence By Stevan Weine


[24] Rural Neighborhood Watch Program https://www.sonomafb.org/Farm+News/Farm+News+Archive/2014/Feb+14/Rural+Neighborhood+Watch+Program.htm


[25] Murder Rates Rising Sharply in Many U.S. Cities http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/01/us/murder-rates-rising-sharply-in-many-us-cities.html?_r=0


[26] 10 facts about religion in America http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2015/08/27/10-facts-about-religion-in-america/


[29] Diminishing Job Prospects for Protestant Pastors www.pbs.org Religion & Ethics Newsletter

Letter Re: The Grid Will Never Be Down in the Way You May Think! – Part 2, by X-liberal

HJL:

This is a well thought out article and a new way of looking at “the grid”. I have to disagree with one point though. In the paragraph entitled “The Pattern” the last sentence says: “Now it is run by Liberal Democrats, and sadly, discrimination is the key to its access.” I humbly submit that it is not just the Liberal Democrats but also the elitist establishment Republicans as well. Truly, you cannot tell one from the other. – LL in Idaho

Economics and Investing:

Saudi Arabia is running out of money The cash crunch is so bad in Saudi Arabia that the government just hiked the price of gasoline by 50%. Yep, you read that right. Instead of paying the equivalent of $0.64USD for a gallon, they will now have to pay a whopping $0.96USD per gallon. – P.S.

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Petro Currencies Under Fire As Oil Keeps Sliding

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Items from Professor Preponomics:

US News

U.S. Shale Companies: Bankers are Quietly Tightening the Liquidity Noose (Zero Hedge) Watch out for the effects of possible liquidity triggers like this one. Excerpt: “It is these companies which find themselves inside this toxic feedback loop of declining liquidity, which forces them to utilize assets even faster, thus even further shrinking the borrowing base against which their banks have lent them money, that will be at the forefront of the epic bankruptcy wave that is waiting to be unleashed across the US, leading to tens of billions of defaults junk bonds over the next 12-18 months.”

Deutsche Bank Cuts US GDP Estimates (Reuters) Excerpt: “…they pared their view on domestic gross product in the last three months of last year by 1 percentage point to 0.5 percent, which they added “still might be too high in light of what could be much larger inventory liquidation than what we have assumed.”

“We Frontloaded a Tremendous Market Rally” Former Fed President Admits, Warns “No Ammo Left” (Zero Hedge) Excerpt: “What The Fed did, and I was part of it, was front-loaded an enormous rally market rally in order to create a wealth effect… and an uncomfortable digestive period is likely now.”

Are We Headed for Another Bust (Mises Institute) Excerpt: “The prolonged low interest rate policy of the Fed, on top of the Fed’s previous loose monetary policies (during Greenspan’s era), has severely weakened the pool of real wealth, which is currently in a dire state. This raises the likelihood that the elimination of bubbles as a result of a tighter stance while good in the long-term for wealth generators is likely to trigger a severe economic slump in the near to medium term.”

How Not to Use the International Trade Commission’s Economic Analysis of Trade Agreements (CATO Institute) This is an interesting article which advocates for the benefits of more open markets although the very language of the writer suggests a recognition that “more open markets” do not really mean “truly open markets”. The follow up question, of course, is whether and to what degree various economies benefit (or are harmed) by geopolitical market engineering. Excerpt: “…credible analysis clearly indicates that making markets more open and competitive will lead to improved resource allocation, expanded international trade, greater economic growth, and higher consumer welfare. Those objectives are genuinely worth pursuing.”

International News

China’s Doomsday Scenario (Business Insider) Spoiler Alert: Ever more Draconian capital controls are very likely coming. Excerpt: “Capital outflow is clearly accelerating, as evidenced by the sharp increase in the size of the net errors and omissions item in China’s balance of payment account.”

Investors Aren’t Very Happy with Portugal’s Bank Bond Decision (Bloomberg) Excerpt: “But the transfer has also left many debt investors scratching their heads and others raging from the rooftops since the move appears to fly in the face of the pari passu (literally “equal footing”) notion that demands creditors be treated equally and without preference.”

Personal Economics and Household Finance

How to Start a Home Vegetable Garden – Benefits & Saving Money (Money Crashers) Personal experience suggests that it does take some practice to accomplish maximum savings from a home garden, but the rewards for the effort are tremendous! Excerpt: “Burpee Seed Co. estimates that for every $50 a family spends on seeds and fertilizer, they’ll reap $1,250 in produce. Amazing!”

Odds ‘n Sods:

Attorney KrisAnne Hall makes a solid case, supporting to goals of the Constitutionalist group that is occupying a Federal building in eastern Oregon.

HJL Adds: It is important to remember that while we agree that the underlying principles that brought this mess in Burns, Oregon to a head are very important and that abuses have, are, and continue to be propagated by the Federal government, the methods and tactics employed by the Bundys and militia leave much to be desired. Bob Wright has written a letter titled “Why Bunkerville was so right and Burns is so wrong” that outlines our concerns very well. The Patriots have basically had their hand forced by a few who are overly anxious to bring this to a conflict. Many patriots were brought to Burns for a peaceful rally only to have this surprise sprung on them. Rather than picking the battle of their choice, Patriots are having the battle chosen for them, and the choice was marginal at best. The Moral right initiative has been lost in this battle, and public opinion is crucial to winning. That being said, we also agree that the Feds have a duty to bring this to a close peacefully.

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From Mike Williamson’s Blog “The Sacred Cow Slaughterhouse”: BATFE and “Engaged in the Business” of Selling Firearms

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With apologies to Tolkien: “One Bank To Rule Them All • One Surveillance State To Find Them • One World Order To Disarm Them All…And In The Darkness Bind Them…” – How Iceland Escaped From The One Bank – GJM

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Sent in by D.S.: Cell-Phone Distracted Parenting Can Have Long-Term Consequences – New research shows how cell phone distraction can deprive babies’ developing brains of crucial developmental signals.

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Louisiana Pastor Fingerprinted for Being Too Loud

Notes for Wednesday – January 06, 2016

Today, we present another entry for Round 62 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The nearly $12,000 worth of prizes for this round include:

First Prize:

  1. A Tactical Self-Contained 2-Series Solar Power Generator system from Always Empowered. This compact starter power system is packaged in a wheeled O.D. green EMP-shielded Pelican hard case (a $1,700 value),
  2. A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate that is good for any one, two, or three day course (a $1,195 value),
  3. A course certificate from onPoint Tactical for the prize winner’s choice of three-day civilian courses, excluding those restricted for military or government teams. Three day onPoint courses normally cost $795,
  4. DRD Tactical is providing a 5.56 NATO QD Billet upper with a hammer forged, chromlined barrel and a hard case to go with your own AR lower. It will allow any standard AR type rifle to have quick change barrel, which can be assembled in less than one minute without the use of any tools and a compact carry capability in a hard case or 3-day pack (an $1,100 value),
  5. Gun Mag Warehouse is providing 20 Magpul PMAG 30-rd Magazines (a value of $300) and a Gun Mag Warehouse T-Shirt; (an equivalent prize will be awarded for residents in states with magazine restrictions),
  6. Two cases of Mountain House freeze dried assorted entrees in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources (a $350 value),
  7. The Ark Institute is donating a non-GMO, non-hybrid vegetable seed package (enough for two families of four) plus seed storage materials, a CD-ROM of Geri Guidetti’s book “Build Your Ark! How to Prepare for Self Reliance in Uncertain Times”, and two bottles of Potassium Iodate (a $325 retail value),
  8. A $250 gift certificate good for any product from Sunflower Ammo,
  9. KellyKettleUSA.com is donating both an AquaBrick water filtration kit and a Stainless Medium Scout Kelly Kettle Complete Kit with a combined retail value of $304, and
  10. Two cases of meals, Ready to Eat (MREs), courtesy of CampingSurvival.com (a $180 value).

Second Prize:

  1. A Glock form factor SIRT laser training pistol and a SIRT AR-15/M4 Laser Training Bolt, courtesy of Next Level Training, which have a combined retail value of $589,
  2. A FloJak EarthStraw Code Red 100-foot well pump system (a $500 value), courtesy of FloJak.com,
  3. A transferable certificate for a two-day Ultimate Bug Out Course from Florida Firearms Training (a $400 value),
  4. A Model 175 Series Solar Generator provided by Quantum Harvest LLC (a $439 value),
  5. A Trekker IV™ Four-Person Emergency Kit from Emergency Essentials (a $250 value),
  6. A $200 gift certificate good towards any books published by PrepperPress.com,
  7. A pre-selected assortment of military surplus gear from CJL Enterprize (a $300 value),
  8. RepackBox is providing a $300 gift certificate to their site, and
  9. Safecastle is providing a package of 10 LifeStraws (a $200 value)

Third Prize:

  1. A Royal Berkey water filter, courtesy of Directive 21 (a $275 value),
  2. A $245 gift certificate from custom knifemaker Jon Kelly Designs, of Eureka, Montana,
  3. A large handmade clothes drying rack, a washboard, and a Homesteading for Beginners DVD, all courtesy of The Homestead Store, with a combined value of $206,
  4. Expanded sets of both washable feminine pads and liners, donated by Naturally Cozy (a $185 retail value),
  5. Two Super Survival Pack seed collections, a $150 value, courtesy of Seed for Security, LLC,
  6. Mayflower Trading is donating a $200 gift certificate for homesteading appliances,
  7. APEX Gun Parts is donating a $250 purchase credit,
  8. Montie Gear is donating a Precision Rest (a $249 value), and
  9. 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).

Round 62 ends on January 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.

Blueprint for Rebuilding- Part 1, by GRC

Timelines differ, and predictions of what causes mayhem differ. One thing we all agree on is that the time to prepare grows short, not time as we modern Westerners understand it, after all our civilization was built and rebuilt over the course of 2000 plus years, but the expiration date is surely fast approaching. Each day brings thanksgiving mixed with surprise that the thin veneer of our existence has lasted another sunrise. And while those who prepare for an uncertain tomorrow welcome the opportunity to tick another item off the to-do list, the rest of the world laughs at such plans. “It hasn’t happened yet, see? Told you that you were afraid of nothing!,” goes the taunt of the urban grasshopper.

Doubt creeps in. We wonder, “Am I wrong? Maybe everyone else is right. I devote time and resources to protecting my interests, and yet folly I know to be unsustainable happily carries on.” Millions and billions of dollars slosh untethered around the halls of government[1]. Morals are not merely ignored but openly taunted[2]. Our once great culture, that which formed the backbone of the greatest empire the world has ever known, now indoctrinates children into mocking the beliefs of their grandparents. Schools were once represented by a red, white, and blue banner flying proudly at the front door; now the very idea of civic pride insists you sacrifice your own beliefs for the sake of another’s impulses[3].

So the prepared waver, if ever so slightly. Yet, we have the benefit of history, do we not? History operates in epochs, not in quarters or seasons. Perhaps we shall never see the “Great Reset” in our lifetimes. We only prefer the pain to be on our shoulders instead of future generations. There will be no joy in proving our foresight and no glee in redemption of beliefs. The facts are in plain sight, for anyone to draw the same conclusions. Unlike others we are more than willing to provide details of our research, to help others learn. So considering our wish for the success of all, it is right we create our own blueprint for rebuilding, not just for ourselves but also for future generations, a reference for those ignorant of the cycles present in human history. Time is of the essence; the sand of the hourglass is quickly sifting.

Answering the Question

What will this “Reset” look like? Multiple threats exist, but the following three categories capture most potential causes:

  • Electronic (grid overload, EMP, sabotage)
  • Economic (excessive debt, runaway inflation, industrial collapse, war)
  • Environmental (solar irregularities, drought, disease, earthquake/volcano, impact events)

The prepared community argues which trigger will provide the ultimate spark, almost as though cheering on a sports team or debating which translation of the Bible is most accurate. Urgency demands that we avoid a rehash of the arguments or lobby one side vs. the other. The ultimate cause at this point holds no relevance to those who are prepared. Following, you will not find specific tips on products needed for any of these catastrophes. Each person prepares in their own best way, and certainly there are a multitude of fine resources from which to reference specific tactics and equipment.

Instead, this paper puts forward a question posed by historically illiterate Political Science professors all over the world every semester– a question that can frame our vision of what might heal a wounded world. Of course, the professors lift it from Hume’s A Treatise of Human Nature, but students don’t know that at the time and few recall it until exposed to the idea of thinking beyond tomorrow.

What Ought To Be?

There it is, four words summing up the very purpose of governmental, economic, and religious pursuits. Four words followed by quite an important punctuation symbol– the question mark– leaving open your personal take on a simple question. For with seven billion souls on this planet, there will certainly be seven billion interpretations, perhaps more because so few people seem to believe in absolutes any more.

What does a centuries old philosophy question have to do with surviving an imminent apocalypse? Because even that day of reckoning too shall pass. Once we have bugged out or hunkered down, once we have banded together or gone solo, and once we have consumed our last hard-put provision, we will need to emerge once again to interact with our fellow man in a way that does not include raiding and pillaging, or even isolation. For that is not who we were made to be.

Nothing that tests us will be new to the human race. We are descendants of people who suffered massive historical resets. The Black Death[4], the Thirty Years War[5], the Potato Famine, and the world wars nearly erased entire peoples. I’m sure, as a student of history, you could name several more. Whole areas and populations were devastated in disasters unforeseen by most. In fact, even those who may have predicted an unraveling would not have guessed the exact time or cause. Few of the prescient remained unsurprised at the scale of devastation from their predicted events.

Yet there were always those who outlasted the fire, just as in our own future Reset there will be those who endure. Your direct ancestors did; otherwise, you would not be here now. Will that be you? Pray that it is so, for humanity will need a multitude of ants to help any remaining grasshoppers, not just in resources but also knowledge. The point being that just having enough to eat after hard times fall won’t be sufficient. Without a blueprint, chaos follows calamity[6]. The goal should be to prepare for not just sustenance but for revival.

Examples to Navigate By

The question returns…What ought to be?…not the day after, or the month after, or even the year after disaster. What does a new civilization look like? Hopefully it’s one crafted by those with the foresight to recognize we are all part of a larger timeline. Hedonism, whatever your religious beliefs (or lack thereof), is not a foundation. Debauchery cannot be the base for progress.

Just as the enemies of freedom and personal determination possess prefabricated plans to roll out in times of crisis, let us too form our own. The Patriot Act, for whatever good intentions, was a labyrinth of unintended consequences. Regardless of speeches and floor debate, that bill was crafted years before 9/11 occurred, sitting patiently for the right time to be unveiled[9]. One could easily provide evidence for any such legislation or executive order, passed in the passion of a moment, used to further agendas well purposed or otherwise. Lawmakers and law interpreters earn their daily bread by creating simultaneous problems and solutions, most schemed and enacted while we remain distracted at work or home overwhelmed by the energy needed just to tread water in today’s life.

So let us too make plans, a well-crafted blueprint to build a shining city on the hill, not to further political goals or plans to deceive. True patriots haven’t the slightest interest in ruling the affairs of others, so long as they don’t interfere with their own. This blueprint makes plans to return to self-determination in a community setting. It’s a small town where a person can hang a shingle without onerous oversight, where children walk safely around the neighborhood, their only fear being what chore list might await them when they return home. It’s where our old folks sit comfortably on their front porch and where those who produce the tangible goods of a society are respected.

Look to the turn of the twentieth century rural America as a guide. Self-sufficiency, hard work, and an understanding of the land raised a generation able to withstand the Great Depression and a great war engulfing the entire planet[7]. Small town America was no myth. You can still see the fossils proving its existence even today.

Wander the streets of a fading Midwestern farm town. Find an old man in denim overalls before they are all gone. Ask him, “Sir, what business used to be in this building?” He will look at the decaying red brick walls and give you the history. He’ll say, “a doctor’s office” or it was a meat shop, perhaps. He will point to hardware stores or more recently appliance depots. All are now closed. He’ll be happy to show you where the opera house was; yes, those were prevalent in small town America[30]. You already know the stereotype of the uncultured rube is just that. These were a people who valued the arts in their own way. Education of children was paramount; simply try to pass an 8th grade graduation test from the time period and find yourself humbled[8].

They were a busy folk, cutting timber, digging coal, and building farms. Home time was spent nurturing personal gardens and livestock. Even those considered townsfolk tended vegetables instead of turf. Religion was exhibited more than displayed. Reading was treasured. Despite little or no government intervention, or perhaps as a result, violent crime against the innocent was scarce.

What happened to this legitimately great society? That is a topic for another time and a spirited debate. Clearly not all was perfect with these people, but as we look to eras to emulate in the years following our own trials let us begin here.

How do we get there? What ought to be? The world of Henry Ford and the Wright Brothers didn’t happen by accident. Advances in innovation, technology, and education were fostered by having sufficient supplies all year long. Long-term planning prevented short-term distraction. Food, of course, was their primary need, along with fuel and security. Indeed, our needs will be the same.

Sowing Seeds of Success

How will you satisfy those needs? How will you stay provisioned, warm and safe in the darkest days after a catastrophic event? After all, no great new world can be built without the survival of those possessing the cornerstone. Let us back up a moment to discuss plans to help ourselves before a time of despair. A blueprint that will translate into a head start in a post-Reset world.

Early twentieth century Americans were not easily taken advantage of. We’ve established they were well educated in their own way and quite more sophisticated then their east coast countrymen first believed. In negotiating matters of business, rural agrarians banded together to form cooperatives[14] to achieve buying power with suppliers. Also, producers needed to sell grain and livestock in a manner that achieved fair pricing. The cooperative form of enterprise best suited this purpose, allowing each family the chance to keep their enterprise and their independence. The fruits of their organizational labor are still seen across the country side, represented by the giant silos used to bunch grain together and transport to city mills. A unique way your cooperative can use these facilities will be discussed later in this paper.

A way to establish community right now, and perhaps rebuild a local economy visibly draining away, is to return to our cooperative roots. Contrary to belief of some, this is not antithetical to truly free markets. Cooperatives, instead, create a more personal and community-focused form of the corporation, one that still looks out for the shareholders involved, except that the vested parties are actual producers themselves and not financiers. Three forms of potentially useful cooperatives jump out when pressure-tested against both pre- and post-Reset scenarios:

  • Biofuel
  • Garden
  • Security

Fuels

We already wondered how we might keep our community warm after outside sources fail, so let us continue now by discussing the first bullet point, biofuel. The concept of a biofuel cooperative is not revolutionary; many have already sprouted up around the world[17]. Take this a step further, not just as an investment in one large facility in a community, but in several smaller refineries actually on personal property. The economics of these types of projects are improving. More importantly, this is not just an exercise in currency creation. If local dollars are retained in the community, i.e. fuel produced locally instead of overseas, a new equation for being economically viable must be considered[28].

A cooperative producing its own fuel can provide heat, electricity via generator, and transportation. Micro biofuel refineries have advanced dramatically over the past few years[15], with many universities acting as resources for cooperatives to begin production[16]. Relationships between your cooperative and local diesel mechanics will be an important asset, both now and in the future. Diesel engines are easily converted to biofuels[18] created by your cooperative, which can power bulldozers and tractors to help reinforce secure locations and larger scale gardening and farming[19]. The point of the cooperative is to spread the cost of investment, which includes labor as well as money. Find experienced mechanics who enjoy new projects as their schedule allows. Many are small business owners who could see the potential economic benefit in the cooperative’s future activities. The ideal candidates will be those who worked on machinery before it became totally dominated by computers.

Food

While warmth and fuel are very important to the future success of your community, successful farming is an immediate need. Gardening is the most personal form of farming. Chances are you garden now, not for profit though that is a happy sideline to many. Farming provides a lifestyle to some, but ultimately it is seen as a profession for securing currency. Truly, many farmers today would be at a loss to feed themselves without the benefit of the grocery store. They are specialists focusing on that which provides the maximum return per acre to satisfy outside landlords or investors[20]. There is nothing wrong with this as a 21st century business model, but understand that the term “farmer” was rarely used one hundred years ago in the context we use the word now. If you asked the elder gentleman in our earlier example, he would say that his family didn’t farm to earn a living; it was just who they were. We will still need specialists in the new world. However, each community member must learn to provide the bulk of their own food either through toil or trade.

Achieving critical mass for the success of our cooperatives, locally produced fuels allow the community to greatly improve their grain production with diesel-powered equipment. Excess grain production allows the cooperative to provide for basic needs plus devote the surplus for biofuel production. Thus begins the virtuous cycle needed to create a sustainable local economy[21]. Consider creating a local currency now to exchange locally produced goods, just make sure it is always backed by something tangible[22]. Remember, a closed loop cannot be “cut off” in any consequential way. Food is the ultimate currency; warmth is the ultimate luxury. Even pre-Reset, that may be all the economy a community truly needs.

References


[1]Congress Passes 1.1 Trillion Dollar Spending Bill http://politics.nytimes.com/congress/votes/113/house/2/563


[2]America’s Accelerating Decay http://www.nationalreview.com/article/416543/americas-decay-speeding


[3]http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2015/12/04/planned-parenthood-joins-lgbt-groups-push-political-agenda-schools/


[4]Social and Economic Effects of the Plague http://www.brown.edu/Departments/Italian_Studies/dweb/plague/effects/social.php


[5]The Empire after the Thirty Years War https://europeanhistory.boisestate.edu/reformation/germany/after30yw.shtml


[6]A City of Despair and Lawlessness http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/09/01/AR2005090100533.html


[7]Character Lessons From the Greatest Generation http://www.ucg.org/character


[8]No, You’re Probably Not Smarter Than a 1912-Era 8th Grader http://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/no-youre-probably-not-smarter-than-a-1912-era-8th-grader-19949041/?no-ist


[9]Paul: Glee in WH after 9/11 http://www.politico.com/story/2011/12/paul-glee-in-wh-after-9-11-070156#ixzz1g4NPLTUD


[10]Farmer’s Tower http://www.mnhs.org/library/tips/history_topics/70peavey.php


[11]Revisiting Montana’s Historic Landscape http://montanahistoriclandscape.com/tag/railroad-corridor/


[12]Fortified Churches of Europe http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/596


[13]Blickle, Peter (2004) Heimat: A Critical Theory Of The German Idea Of Homeland


[14]Center for Cooperatives http://www.uwcc.wisc.edu/whatisacoop/history/


[15]Brew your own: Argentina’s micro-refinery New Agriculturalist http://www.new-ag.info


[16]What is Biodiesel? http://extension.agron.iastate.edu/soybean/uses_biodiesel.html


[17]Gains In Biodiesel Add Up for Rural Areas http://unitedsoybean.org


[18]Biodiesel – Your Farm Has Fuel http://www.hobbyfarms.com/crops-and-gardening/fuel-from-your-farm.aspx


[19]Armored Bulldozer http://www.popsci.com/russia-unveils-armored-bulldozer


[20]Future Farms of America Might Not Include Much Family http://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2013/01/31/170659579/future-farms-of-america-might-not-include-much-family


[21]Sustainable Communities: Creating a Durable Local Economy Rhonda Phillips, Bruce Seifer, Ed Antczak Routledge, Aug 15, 2013


[22]Creating Wealth: Growing Local Economies with Local Currencies by Gwendolyn Hallsmith


[23] Testimony After Catastrophe: Narrating the Traumas of Political Violence By Stevan Weine


[24] Rural Neighborhood Watch Program https://www.sonomafb.org/Farm+News/Farm+News+Archive/2014/Feb+14/Rural+Neighborhood+Watch+Program.htm


[25] Murder Rates Rising Sharply in Many U.S. Cities http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/01/us/murder-rates-rising-sharply-in-many-us-cities.html?_r=0


[26] 10 facts about religion in America http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2015/08/27/10-facts-about-religion-in-america/


[27] After Hurricane Sandy: Time to Learn and Implement the Lessons in Preparedness, Response, and Resilience http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2013/10/after-hurricane-sandy-time-to-learn-and-implement-the-lessons


[28] Viability & Sustainability in Rural Agricultural Communities: Residents’ Perceptions of Individual, Community and Macro-Level Factors – By Brenda Bacon and Derek Brewin http://home.cc.umanitoba.ca/~brewindg/Rural1.pdf


[29] Diminishing Job Prospects for Protestant Pastors www.pbs.org Religion & Ethics Newsletter


[30] Midwest American Rural Landscapes and the Creation of a Unique Theatre Culture, 1870-1940 by Richard L. Poole http://www.muse.jhu.edu

Letter Re: Some Harsh Lessons of Beekeeping, by Keith K.

Hugh,

Regarding the Harsh Lessons of Beekeeping, I began raising bees five years before relocating to the Redoubt from SC. I was stung often back East. One hive came with us in a trailer with the “mountain useless” motorcycles. When I purchased five nuc hives to build out our bee population the following spring, I was stung and had a dramatic trip down the mountain to the ER. The second year, while working the frantic hives in spring (six died and six were near starvation, suffering from bad weather), and I was stung AGAIN and went to the ER again.

Both times I was stung through the veil on my face.

So I got a clue and began the allergy shot series in CDA. After 6 months of ramping up the dosage, now when I get a “shot”, equivalent to two bee stings, I’m okay.

So the warning is this for all you beginning beeks: consider that you may be used to bee stings from the part of the country where you came from, the California bees for sale here in Idaho may have some attributes in their venom that is foreign to your body’s immune system. I discussed the possibility that Africanized Honey Bee venom may be slightly different with Dr. Wakefield, and that over time, AHB DNA will get into the general population of bees. Or, perhaps I’m just getting old, and all the work of setting up a homestead just made me vulnerable. We sold honey this summer for prices well above the “market” due to our pristine area. However, recovering from $10,000 worth of ER bills in two visits will take a lot of jars of honey. At least, tell your medical doctor you are taking up beekeeping and you would like a prescription for two epi-pens. My son’s epi pen saved my life. – K&K

Economics and Investing:

This may be a little hard to grasp, but it’s important to understand. Please read and take necessary precautions to protect your savings. Unimaginable 247 Trillion In Derivatives Could Trigger “Financial Armageddon”. Warren Buffett referred to derivatives as “financial weapons of mass destruction”… – L.G.

Items from Mr. Econocobas:

China Stocks Rout on First Market Day of 2016 Trips National Trading Halt

China’s Seven-Minute Selling Frenzy That Shook Global Markets

The Year Nothing Worked: Stocks, Bonds, Cash Go Nowhere

Items from Professor Preponomics:

US News

Puerto Rico is Greece and These Five States are the Next to Go (Zero Hedge) Excerpt: “It would take a long time for underfunded pension plans (e.g., 60% funded) to run out of cash, given the long duration of plan liabilities. But as investors learned in Puerto Rico and Greece, bond markets can drift along unconcerned with mounting fundamental problems, only to experience a rapid repricing at times that cannot be predicted.” Here’s the Watch List: Illinois, Connecticut, Hawaii, New Jersey, and Kentucky.

Public Lands: The Case for Transfer to the States (Waste Fraud and Abuse) Excerpt: “Utah is at the forefront of the Transfer of Public Lands movement. In 2012, the Utah state legislature passed legislation that lays down the foundation for transferring public lands to state ownership.”

Why First Time Home Buyers are Staying on the Sidelines (Market Watch) Excerpt: “First-time home buyers are staying away for a number of reasons, experts say, including rising home prices, high levels of debt, cultural changes that have younger Americans getting married and merging incomes later, and a general lack of information about, and enthusiasm for, the homebuying process.”

International News

Korea: The Canary in the Coal Mine (Business Insider) Excerpt: “Economists look to Korean exports because they are the world’s imports. Major traded goods are as varied as automobiles, petrochemicals, and electronics, such as PCs and mobile devices.”

More Currency Intervention Madness by the Arrogant Fools Who Run the Swedish Central Bank (Contra Corner) Excerpt: “Why does the Riksbank think it will succeed when nearly every currency intervention in history has failed?”

Greek Central Bank Warns Country “Unlikely to Survive Another Bout of Instability as Bank “Jog” Accelerates (Zero Hedge) Excerpt: “Something unexpected happened on the road to the latest Greek “recovery”: the local population no longer believes one is coming.”

Personal Economics and Household Finance

The Coupon Insider: What’s Stacking? (Living on the Cheap)

Readers’ Recommendations of the Week:

J.M. wrote in: I recently re-read Leon Uris’ Exodus and can highly recommend it.

o o o

SurvivalBlog reader R.S. suggested “The Big Short”, which released Dec 23, is an amazing, funny, horrifying, and astounding “true story” look behind the curtain of the banking sub-prime mortgage fiasco. While rated a hard R, it is definitely worth seeing without the kids. It uses almost a documentary style taking complicated banker lingo and mindset, then translating into concise, understandable concepts (those are the horrifying parts) what actually happened inside the financial industry between 2005 and 2008. Highly recommend, but WARNING, it will haunt you!