Economics and Investing:

Items from Mr. Econocobas:

Watch for U.S. Recession, Zero Interest Rates in China Next Year, Citi Says

What Money Means – This is actually an entire chapter from a new book called Prosper!, by the folks over at Peak Prosperity. Good read!

Video Interview: USA Watchdog – Chris Martenson – Everybody Knows This Economy Is Unsustainable

Items from Professor Preponomics:

How Money Disappears from a Fractional Reserve Money System (Mises Institute) An especially outstanding link for an article from the Mises Institute about how money disappears in a fractional reserve system.

U.S. Total Debt Soars to $674B in November (Zero Hedge)

Puerto Rico Avoids Default on Over $350M in Bond Payments (Market Watch)

Manufacturing is in RECESSION (Business Insider)

Fed Officials Clammed Up Once Transcripts Were Released (Market Watch)

Moody’s Says More Atlantic City Casinos May Close (CNN Money)

Cost Delays Healthcare for One in Three (Gallup)

America’s 20 Richest People Have More Money Than These 152 Million People (Market Watch)

United Health Says It Should Have Stayed Out of Obamacare Longer (Bloomberg)

United Health CEO Regrets Entering Obamacare Marketplace (The Hill)

Odds ‘n Sods:

JWR’s recent interview on the Oathkeepers podcast is now available at YouTube. The discussion of the Paris terror attacks and the release of the novel Land Of Promise begin at the 37:45 mark.

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NSA Phone Surveillance (Kind of) Comes to an End. So you think it’s all good now? Maybe not: No, NSA Phone Spying Has Not Ended. Let’s see… the database still exists in the hands of the NSA; the “private” companies still keep the records with little to no oversight; tell me again how this is different and better?

o o o

As expected, the cockroaches crawl out of the woodwork in record time to call for Gun Control: Gun Control Group Calls For Obama To Declare “State of Emergency,” Ban Guns – Because everyone knows that banning guns will keep criminals from taking them into victim-rich gun free zones. Link sent in by B.B.

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Along those same lines, the Media Races To Make San Bernardino Shooting About Planned Parenthood even though the closest clinic was over a mile away. – RBS

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Sent in by D.R. – The Fall Of America Signals The Rise Of The New World Order

Hugh’s Quote of the Day:

“Friends we gather round together
Holding tight our faith and guns
But in this room I feel something greater than ourselves
Now listen everyone

Arm yourselves for the hammer’s crashing down
Arm yourselves all ye citizens
Arm yourselves with the ghost of a risen son
And lay your armor on
There’s no time left, the day has come.”

– Jordan Page, excerpted from the lyrics to his song Arm Yourself

Notes for Wednesday – December 02, 2015

I was quite pleased to see that my newly-released novel, Land of Promise, has moved up to #153 in the Kindle e-book rankings. Thanks, folks, for making the book such a success. I am hopeful that it becomes known as “the novel that became a country.” (If it gets into the right hands, perhaps it can inspire some great men to do great things.) – JWR

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 pmags 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 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. Twenty-five books, of the winners choice, of any books published by PrepperPress.com (a $270 value),
  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.

Attaining Food in Urban Locations (From Land and Sea)- Part 2, by Cracker Makk

EGRETS / HERONS

Egrets, curlews, and sandhill cranes are also excellent sources of protein and are so delicious that the Native Americans preferred them to over all other bird species. They are protected by the Department of Fish and Wildlife but are very plentiful and may aid in your survival when things get bad. Remember when desperate times present themselves, food is food. This article isn’t about what is legal to eat; it is about what is edible and how it can be obtained. The best places to find these three types of birds are golf courses, parks, and low land areas. All three of these locations have a human presence that the birds are accustomed to, so getting in proximity to them is much easier than out in the swamp. Because the food sources for these birds live in the park, so too do the birds. Every night they roost in the trees around a water source on the overhanging limbs. These areas are easy to spot, if you know what to look for. (When they roost at night they defecate onto the tree limbs they are seated on, and the branches become stained white. This is a dead giveaway as to where the birds are sleeping every night.) These parks are easy to get in and out of. Usually the parks are large and don’t have the man power to be secured everywhere at all times. Most of the security or park rangers are dozing off in various areas of the park at different times during the night. This gives you plenty of time to get in and do some food shopping before one of the rangers even knows of your presence. The parks may even be unsecured, depending on how bad things get, presenting easy pickings for some prime dinner selections. Once you have located the roost areas, you will need a weapon. I recommend a compound bow and arrow or a crossbow. If you don’t have either, then I recommend purchasing one of the two as soon as possible. Unlike guns, they are quiet and don’t draw a lot of attention. You don’t need to spend a lot of money. Compound bows are not that much these days and can be found at pawn shops, online, or at garage sales for pennies on the dollar compared to what they sold for years ago. Once you have your weapon, you need to get to the roost area before the birds do. If you arrive too late and try to get at them after they have turned in for the night then you run the risk of startling all the birds out of the roost, and you have just “cooked your own goose”. The birds will find another roosting location, and you will have to start all over. Move slowly and blend in to your surroundings. Stay quiet, be still, and be a hunter. It is in your DNA, and you are more than capable of catching your own food.

Egrets and curlews have skinny legs and long beaks. There are different types, with colors that range from blue, grey, brown, white, and pink. They are usually found on the banks of lakes, ponds, canals, and other moist lowland areas. The Sandhill crane is the largest of the three birds mentioned here and stands about five feet tall. They have a red head, and their bodies are grey in color. They are not very intelligent and make an easy target. They are plentiful on or around golf courses. All three breeds will need to be plucked (de-feathered) and gutted. Their gizzards make the best gravy you will ever eat, and that gravy goes great with some homemade biscuits.

You must practice and do some target shooting before you try to shoot one of these birds. You may not think you have time to practice shooting a bow and sneaking into parks and golf courses, but you need to make the time to practice. You may also be thinking that you will never be successful at harvesting one of these birds by hitting your target, but I assure you that it is very possible and even highly probable, if you practice a little. If your life is dependent on it, what choice will you have? These locations are easy pickin’s for many types of food. They are a living grocery store and act as a refuge for birds, squirrels, and ducks. My uncle and I have enjoyed many a curlew over an open fire in my lifetime, and even to this day it remains one of my favorite foods items.

SQUIRRELS

Squirrels are another plentiful food source that taste great. They consist of dark meat and are excellent when they are cooked right. They do need to be cooked a bit longer than other animals but are quite tasty over a bed of rice and biscuits. It is best to cook squirrels at a low temperature for longer periods of time. They can also be stewed to make them go further.

Squirrels need to be skinned. This is done by cutting the animal down the middle of the body all the way up and from the ends of the hands and feet horizontal towards the vertical cut in the middle. Once you have made your five cuts– one down the middle, two from hands to middle, and two from feet to middle– you will need to grab on to the fur with one hand and the skin with the other. Pull to separate the two. Go slow at first and work the fur off the skin gradually. I usually start at the hands and work my way down, but it can be done from feet up if that suits you better. There is no right or wrong way. Try to only think about separating the edible meat from the fur. Remember, you are just going to “make it work”. After the skinning process is complete, you will want to remove the innards. (The heart of any animal is usually very tasty and is loaded with the nutrients your body needs. Let nothing go to waste.) Wash the meat off and you’re ready to cook. Squirrels love avocados, papayas, oranges, sunflower seeds, acorns, peanuts, and many other types of fruits, vegetables, and nuts. However, I have had the most success catching them using peanut butter.

If you don’t have the means to shoot one, then trapping them is the next best option. All you will need is something to dig with (preferably a shovel), a regular- or standard-size garbage can, 50 feet of rope, an overhanging tree limb or something you have improvised, and something to bait your trap with.

Start out by finding a location that you have seen squirrels in previously that is close to the food source. If possible, choose a location where there is an overhanging limb. Lay the garbage can on its side in the location where you want it, under the overhanging limb or improvised structure. Using your shovel, dig a hole a foot deep all the way around the garbage can and four feet out beyond the opening and the bottom of the can. Make sure that the can fits snug in the hole on the sides. You will have to dig a little deeper to accommodate the handle of the garbage can if it has one. The front needs to stay open. There shouldn’t be any wiggle room on either sides of the can. (This gives the can support so that it is forced to rise vertically.) You need to create a tapered entrance to the can; it should be a very slight slope made by digging. If the can has a handle on the side make sure it is facing up. Tie the rope very snug to the handle and throw the rope slack over the hanging limb. (If the can has no handle, then you will need to poke a hole in the upper portion of the can so you can tie your rope through it.) Pick up the opposite end of the rope that isn’t tied and walk back as far as you can until the rope is as tight as it can be without lifting the can up vertical. You will need some cover. If there isn’t anything to hide your position, improvise and build yourself a blind so your target animal can’t see you. Once you have completed these steps, you are ready to bait the trap. Simply put the bait source you have selected on the ground at the tapered entrance– the opening of the can. Peanut butter works the best. Place twice as much bait inside the can all the way to the back or the bottom. Do not put too much at the entrance or the squirrel will get full and won’t have a reason to enter the can to eat more. You will have to wait patiently for the squirrel to enter the can. When it does, simply pull the string and the garbage can will rise up vertical and the squirrel will be trapped at the bottom of the can. The trick is pulling the rope fast and keeping the rope snug so that the can doesn’t turn sideways and allow your dinner to escape. This technique never gets old, and I have caught hundreds of squirrels exactly like this. Make sure you practice a few times before you bait the trap. You may also have to be patient at first. It may take a few days before the squirrel discovers the bait. Try placing small amounts of bait on the tree limbs leading down to the ground towards your trap. This will make it easier to lead the squirrels to your trap. Another tip is to change your bait source if you aren’t getting any action. Just be patient and persevere; you will succeed.

ALLIGATORS

One of my favorite animals to catch is the alligator. Years ago the swamp lizard was facing extinction. However, after being placed on the endangered species list, they have thrived and can be found everywhere in Florida. Alligators are a very valuable food source and can feed your family for a long time. Their meat is pinkish white and resembles a mix between a grouper (reef fish) and chicken. They can be made in a piquant with peppers, tomatoes, and onions but are best served fried, cut up in little nuggets. Alligator meat can be a little tough depending on the size and the preparation process. (It is best to pound the nuggets with a hammer prior to cooking to soften the tissue.) Clean an alligator the same way you do a squirrel– skinning. You will definitely need a sharp knife and to go slow, because they take a lot longer than most other animals. If the gator is large, make sure you utilize the jaw meat. It is some of the best meat you will ever put in your mouth. It is very tender and tastes fantastic.

There are a few easy ways to catch a gator. One is by using a fishing rod, and the other is putting out a catch line at night. The fishing pole method is an easy technique if the gator is hungry. In the warmer months of the year alligators tend to be more aggressive towards food. It is easy to know right away if a gator is hungry because as soon as your bait hits the water the gator will head towards it. It does not matter if it is an artificial bait, live bait, or a shoe string. If a gator is hungry and sees movement he will come after it. I caught a gator on a dirty sock one time. All I did was keep it moving. The most important thing is not setting the hook. The inside of a gators mouth is very hard and the chances of the hook setting properly are very slim. Simply wait it out and let the gator swallow the bait. Once he has swallowed it, let him swim off and then slowly start to reel him in. He is going to fight and free spool you many times, especially if you are using a small rod. Make sure that your drag is set very lose so that he doesn’t pop the line. The trick to this is letting him get tired. Do this by reeling him in and letting him run many times until the gator is spent. If you don’t have a gun, a bow, or a spear, then you are going to need something to hit the gator over the head with once you get him to shore. (Keep in mind the kill spot on an alligator is approximately four inches behind the eyes in the center portion of the head.) Make sure you have your weapon of choice with you when you are tangling with the gator. You do not want to get stuck one on one with an alligator without a weapon to defend yourself. These same rules apply when you are tending to your overnight catch line.

The catch line is also an easy and productive technique; but in order for a catch line to work, you are going to need real bait. You can use anything that was previously living. I have used lizards, opossum, raccoon, squirrel, rabbit, bacon, chicken, innards from animals and birds, fish heads, curlew carcass, other gators, dead turtles, and even road kill. Most anything will work. You just need to make sure the bait hangs up a little higher than the water and just sort of dangles there, not too high but enough to allow the gator to take the bait. A good tip to remember is always keep the remains of other animals that you catch. Place them in an airtight container and bury them until you need to bait your hooks on your catch line. (Alligators have a great sense of smell, and the more rancid the bait you use the more success you will have catching an alligator.) Remember also that you aren’t restricted to just one catch line either; try setting several out a night if you have the bait.

To set a catch line you are going to need some thick nylon rope (thick monofilament or wire litter will work as well, but you don’t want the gator to break the line, so make sure you don’t leave it unattended for too long), preferably a large hook (shark hook), and a strong tree to tie the rope to. If there aren’t any trees around you can use a large pole or tree limb stuck in the ground at least five feet deep or anything else that is somewhat stationary. Let the catch line sit overnight and hide the rope so no one can see it. When you go back the next morning, retrieve the rope and pull on it slowly. If there is a gator on the line you will know it. Keep in mind alligators are more scared of you than you are of them, and when it sees you and realizes it’s stuck you better be ready for a fight.

The last way to catch a gator is by snagging them with a top water lure or a large treble hook. You have to be pretty accurate with your casting in order to catch a gator this way, but I have caught many like this. It most certainly can be done. This is a good option if the gator isn’t hungry and is just sitting still in a lethargic state, like they do in the winter time sunning themselves on the canal and river banks. I have also used this method many times at night. Gators are much harder to find at night during the winter time but easier to spot during the day in the winter. They will be all over the banks sunning themselves.

When hunting at night, you will need a flashlight to shine in the gator’s eyes. You will need to hold the light in the gator’s eyes while as you cast your line. When you shine the light in the gator’s eyes, they will shine back red. The best way to snag a gator is to cast over him and bring the lure over him. Once the lure gets close to the gator, stop reeling and let the lure sink down a bit. Then start reeling slow; as soon as you feel the tension of the treble hook or lure against the gators body, set the hook hard. Remember to keep letting him run so that the gator gets tired before you try to bring him all the way in.

If you get in a bind and need food, alligators are all over Florida and the other southeastern portion of the U.S. They are an easy target and will keep you and your family fed for a few weeks, if preserved the right way. Be smart and utilize everything.

Round 61 of the SurvivalBlog Writing Contest – Winners Announced!

First Prize goes to TLS for “An Alternative to Calcium Hypochlorite” which was posted on November 21st. he will receive the following prizes:

  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 pmags 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 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 goes to Militant Medic for “Infectious Disease in the TEOTWAWKI World- Part 1”, “Part 2”, “Part 3”, “Part 4”, “Part 5”, and “Part 6” posted on November 10th thru the 15th. He will receive the following prizes:

  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 $300 gift certificate from Freeze Dry Guy,
  6. A Trekker IV™ Four-Person Emergency Kit from Emergency Essentials (a $250 value),
  7. Twenty-five books, of the winners choice, of any books published by PrepperPress.com (a $270 value),
  8. A pre-selected assortment of military surplus gear from CJL Enterprize (a $300 value),
  9. RepackBox is providing a $300 gift certificate to their site, and
  10. Safecastle is providing a package of 10 LifeStraws (a $200 value)

Third Prize goes to G.L. for “Six Prepping Principles Derived from One Year as an Expat- Part 1” and “Part 2” posted on November 3rd and 4th. He will receive the following prizes:

  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).

Honorable Mention prizes ($30 Amazon.com gift certificates via e-mail) have been awarded to the writers of these fine articles:

Round 61 ended on November 30th, but Round 62 has started, 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. Those articles that we received for Round 61 but that did not get published in time will be automatically entered in Round 62.

Letter Re: Hoarding Gold and Silver

HJL,

I think Marks point was very Americanized and fits in with American beliefs that people have come to value dollars over gold and silver. If you look to people in other countries, you will see that silver and gold is considered and valued as money.

In Africa years ago people were panning for gold and bought bread with the small nuggets that they found. In Asia silver and gold are considered a valuable currency to use as a hedge and to keep your wealth.

In Europe with their history, it was considered a good thing to save silver and gold along with the local currency. My Italian step-mother years ago told me to always save real silver and gold that it could get you out of harm’s way, that you could bribe a guard to escape or buy food, or buy the last ticket of passage on a train or ferry or even pay your taxes when they came for your house after collapsing the currency. Her family knew of previous times when this has happened. Why do you think Hitler took all of the clothes from his prisoners?

Mark did say himself that people paid with their diamonds, silver, and gold for food from his relatives. There might have been a reason why those people were on the road that he doesn’t know about and away from their homes and food. – R.R.

HJL Adds: We also don’t recommend using precious stones. It’s difficult to know exactly what the value of a precious stone is worth, especially in a TEOTWAWKI situation. For instance, we know that diamonds are highly overvalued in today’s market, so you will probably loose value if you use them to store wealth. Even colored precious stones are difficult to trade with unless you have an “expert” on both sides of the transaction. PM’s are much simpler to deal with.

Economics and Investing:

The IMF has given the go-ahead to the Chinese renminbi to be used as one of the worlds Main Currencies. The Euro and the British pound take the brunt of the move while the U.S. dollar remains steady at 42%. However, the move has deeper political ramifications. As the author of the piece states:

“As the renminbi becomes more deeply woven into the global economy, it undermines the ability of the West to impose financial sanctions on countries accused of human rights abuses and other violations, like Sudan and North Korea. Such countries can increasingly carry out transactions in renminbi.”

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Why I’m Closing My Bank Accounts While I Still Can – D.S.

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Items from Professor Preponomics:

Stress Test Pressure May See UK Banks Cut Dividends (Wall Street Journal)

Brazil’s Economic Tailspin (Reuters)

Finland’s Problem Isn’t the Euro (Wall Street Journal) Commentary: Well…the problem isn’t “entirely” the Euro.

Erdogan Busted! The ISIS Oil Pipeline Through Ceyhan (Contra Corner)

Iran’s Mines Could Bring In More Cash than Crude (Bloomberg)

Investors are Terrified by the “3rd Wave” of the Financial Crisis (Business Insider)

Fate of Obamacare Co-ops in Question After Half Collapse (Fox News)

Huge Economic Warning Sign from the Midwest (Business Insider)

Chicago PMI Suggests US Manufacturing is Still Gloomy (Market Watch)

Hillary Clinton’s Proposals Total $1B in New Government Spending (Washington Free Beacon)

Odds ‘n Sods:

For the more technical among us, this is an interesting tale of how Tor got hacked and made onymous. – Send in by P.S.

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Reader G.P. sent in this link to the Washington Free Beacon reporting ‘Unprecedented’ Support For Islamic State Within U.S.. It’s a scary situation when the world chooses to stick its collective head in the sand over the evils of Islam. A simple Google search provides an abundance of information and people apparently can’t be bothered to do that.

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Another “Read my lips” situation: Obama Pledges Executive Action on Gun Control – Link sent in by B.B.

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The Glenn Beck show had an interesting segment on prepping. Which category of prepper do fall into? (And isn’t interesting that the election of Hillary Clinton as president is classed equal to an apocalypse.)

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An anonymous reader sent in the link profiling a piece of equipment we’ve been watching for the past few months: goTenna | Text & GPS on your phone, even without service.. It looks like they will be shipping in time for the holidays.

Hugh’s Quote of the Day:

“Man, no doubt, owes many other moral duties to his fellow men; such as to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, shelter the homeless, care for the sick, protect the defenseless, assist the weak, and enlighten the ignorant. But these are simply moral duties, of which each man must be his own judge, in each particular case, as to whether, and how, and how far, he can, or will perform them.” – Lysander Spooner

Notes for Tuesday – December 01, 2015

Book Release Day! – Land of Promise

I’m pleased to announce that my latest novel, Land of Promise, is now available for ordering, both as a Kindle e-book and as a trade paperback. (An audio book and a Nook book will follow, in a few months.)

This is the first novel in a planned six-book series that I’ve dubbed the Counter-Caliphate Chronicles. The first book is set 30 years in the future, after the advent of an Islamic Caliphate that controls most of the world’s land mass, 60% of the world’s population, and nearly all of the planet’s oil and natural gas reserves. Though this book series will certainly appeal to fans of my Patriots novel series, be advised that it does not tie in to the storyline or characters in my earlier series. But like in the Patriots series, I have squeezed a lot of “practical and tactical” survival skills into the fictional storyline of Land of Promise. And yes, it has a glossary. The book’s Foreword was written by the outstanding voice of liberty Bill Buppert (founder of the ZeroGov forums), and there is an Afterword written by the inestimable Hugh J. Latimer (SurvivalBlog’s Managing Editor).

Because this novel includes some predictions of new technologies, it could be classified as science fiction. But to me, it is more of a “message” piece. In the Patriots series, the message was to wake up individuals about emerging threats and the need for family preparedness. But in the Counter-Caliphate Chronicles, the message is to warn the citizens of all of the Christian western nations about the threat of Jihadist Islam and to strongly encourage the establishment of nations of refuge for persecuted Christians. I’ve also stressed the importance of individual liberty. In essence: As long as a new nation needs to be established, then it ought to be a free nation! The level of individual freedom that I describe in the fictitious Ilemi Republic is bound to be controversial, but so be it. I am a Christian libertarian and unashamed of my beliefs.

Without writing any plot spoilers, I can tell you that the novel has plenty of drama and excitement. There are many characters that are based on real-life individuals. And the trends fulfillment that it describes is all-too believable. (This ties in to the recent news headlines.) This novel sets the stage for a series that will span the world and show cataclysmic events, all shown from the perspective of individuals who live through these turbulent times.

For today only (book release day–December 1st), the Kindle e-book is priced at just $2.99. But the price will go up to $3.99 tomorrow. So please order your copy today. The 351-page trade paperback edition is priced at $11.99, but that price is not expected to change significantly in the weeks to come.

Lord willing, the second novel of the series, titled Piece of Resistance will be released in November of 2016. I’m presently writing the manuscript of that book. It leverages off of the detailed groundwork in Land of Promise and describes the involvement of Ilemi citizens in supporting a war of resistance in totalitarian Islamist-ruled Nigeria. This novel includes most of the characters introduced in the first book, and reemphasizes the need for both religious liberty and a dedicated nation of refuge.

I am confident that you will enjoy reading Land of Promise. – JWR

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The winners of Round 61 of the writing contest are being judged and will be announced tomorrow, December 2, 2015.

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SurvivalBlog would also like to thank Quantum Harvest LLC who ran into a problem procuring parts for their Model 120 Series Solar Generator that they were providing for the writing contest (A $340 value). They instead upped the ante and replaced it with the Model 175 Series Solar Generator (A $439 value). Way to go Quantum Harvest!

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Today, we present the first 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 pmags 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 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. Twenty-five books, of the winners choice, of any books published by PrepperPress.com (a $270 value),
  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.

Attaining Food in Urban Locations (From Land and Sea)- Part 1, by Cracker Makk

If it has hair, feathers, or scales, it is edible. In the desperate times that lay ahead, people are going to have to make a choice. They’ll either become self-sufficient and revert back to the practices of our ancestors (the hunter/gatherers) or stand there with their hand out and wait for something that isn’t coming. You need to learn how to keep your body nourished and feed the ones you love. The truth is there are food sources everywhere around us that are easily obtainable with a little patience and technical know-how. However, many people in this country have become lazy, and the thought of catching something themselves and eating it is considered taboo or distasteful. Many people have become so dependent on the system to provide them food that they have no idea how to acquire it for themselves. Whether it is food and water, clothing, houses, or phones, you name it, someone with their hand out is getting it at the expense of the American tax payer. Eventually this will come to a grinding halt. When the lazy ones, as I call them, stop getting their free stuff and shelves are empty at the stores, they will not know what to do. They will not know how to acquire food and will start looting every chance they get. They will soon discover their tangibles no longer have any value, and they will be left to starve; and starve they will. Hopefully you won’t.

My uncle was in the 101st and 82nd airborne divisions in the U.S. Army. He did three tours in Vietnam, was shot four times, blinded in one eye, and had his throat cut ear to ear and yet lived. On his last tour he was the only one in his group to make it back still breathing. I spent most of my childhood with him, camping, hunting, and fishing. We camped on islands in the Marcasis, south of the Florida Keys, down in the everglades, on cypress heads in the swamps, and even in some protected wildlife areas where we weren’t supposed to be. We never took food with us, only the means to obtain it and some very basic survival gear. These trips made me appreciate nature and taught me how to live off the land. They gave me a sense of empowerment that I hope to convey to you in the following paragraphs below. With that said, I want to be straight here. If you are someone who won’t even try certain things because of the way it looks and can’t think outside the box, then don’t waste your time reading this; it won’t be useful to you. Some of the food sources mentioned here may not be one’s first choice, but in a worst case scenario drastic times require drastic measures and could mean the difference between starving to death and staying alive. If you want to live and even thrive on all of the food sources that are out there, then stay with me. I will share with you the skills that will help you keep food on your table and have an edge that most people know nothing about.

Most of us realize that the time bomb is fast approaching. Our economic system is manipulated, the nation’s debt is overwhelming, our mainstream media is suppressed, and political corruption is rampant among our leaders. If history has shown us anything, it is that broken systems are unsustainable and a major change is imminent. Unfortunately no one knows what will be the tipping point or when this event will take place, but be assured it is coming. For some individuals it will be hard, but for many others it will be catastrophic. When the shelves at the food stores are empty, what will you do? Are you self-sufficient? Are you prepared? Regardless, I am going to share with you the techniques I learned from my uncle on catching birds, squirrels, turtles, alligators, and many others from land as well as fresh fish and other edible seafood sources using a mask, snorkel, fins, and a spear gun. These tips along with a little practice will keep food on your table when your neighbors are starving. The main objective here is to open your mind to food options when the present ones are no longer available. But let’s be clear here; your survival will depend on you. You do not have to be an avid outdoorsmen or professional spear fisherman to put food on your table. You just need the will to survive and the knowledge below. Be creative and find a way to “make it work”. No matter what your case is, there is always a way to make it work. Think about this for a minute and let it sink in. Let’s get started.

LAND

PIGEONS / GULLS

There are many different species of birds that are very good eating and easy to find. Obviously, a BB gun or pellet Rifle is recommended for birds in residential or commercial areas (since we are talking about urban areas here), but depending on the circumstances the sound of a 22 or a shotgun may be commonplace at that particular time. Birds which have become quite accustomed to human activity, like pigeons, will be one of the easiest animals to get close to, simply because they associate humans with food. Pigeons have large, meaty breasts and can be found in groups. It should also be noted that their gizzards and hearts are very tasty as well. (Pan frying is recommended.) Pigeons are found close to stores, under bridges, and in heavily traveled areas. They are very comfortable being around people and can be caught using a small dip net, pool skimmer net, or cast net. If a pigeon is in view, walk over to it slowly and in a non-threatening way. One of the keys to catching live animals is not making eye contact. You will hear me emphasizing this numerous times during this article with many species, especially fish while hunting underwater. One very successful tactic to catch a pigeon is to pick up something you see on the ground (dummy bait) and pretend it is food. The bird will be watching you; mark my word on it. Make sure you have a few different items and throw one of the items on the ground out of its range. Make sure the bird sees you do it. Before the bird knows that it’s not food, throw another piece a little closer to him but in reach for you to scoop him with the net. Make sure you go from top down. Be accurate. You may only get one chance at it, but you will get close enough to get him.

Another easy target are seagulls. They are simple to catch using a fishing pole and a small hook. Although seagulls are found on the beaches most of the time, they are also found in large numbers around parking lots, dumpsters, landfills, and standing water. They will eat most anything, just like a pigeon, and can be lured using anything that has an odor to it. Be creative, and think outside the box. There are earthworms in the soil close to flowers. They can also be found in dark dirt areas where the soil is moist. Keep in mind, birds such as seagulls associate humans with food as well, and even if they don’t have a liking for worms, they will be drawn to whatever you throw out at them. The trick is getting them to put it in their mouth. Once they do that, set the hook and hold on for the fight. If you have more than one fishing pole, make sure you keep the gull on the ground out in view of the other gulls. They are usually in groups, and they are very competitive by nature. Once they see one gull on the ground, they will figure it has found food and many more will come a calling. Get your other hook ready and set it once he puts the bait in its mouth. We used to catch them using small pieces of hot dogs and bacon. (You can use anything that has an odor.) Keep in mind once you catch one and clean it (removing the feathers, feet, head, and wings) you will need to gut it by removing all the inner organs. Those organs are very useful when it comes to bait for more seagulls, pigeons, alligators, opossums, raccoons, cats, dogs, turtles, or for catching fish, so do not discard any of them. A little later I will teach you a very simple way to put these innards to work and catch some of the best eating creatures available. The best way to keep the inner organs for later use is to freeze them. However, if freezing them isn’t an option for you, then simply wrap them in a small air tight container and bury it in the ground at least 24 inches deep, where the temperature is much cooler beneath the soil and the innards will keep for twice as long as they would above ground.

MUSCOGEE DUCKS

Muscogee ducks are another animal that are acquainted with human presence and very easy to catch. They are fed by people all of the time, and the hungrier they get the closer they come to man. They can be caught using a dummy bait (a rock, stick, or piece of paper) held out so they can see it. When they come right up to you to eat it, simply grab them by the neck. I used to catch them exactly like this when I was six years old. There is no doubt you can do it, too. You can also catch them in a cast net, which is by far the easiest way. Muscogee ducks may not look very appealing, but they taste just like a chicken. I know everyone always says that, but it’s true. So why not eat it if your life depends on it. It is a food source that is very easy to harvest, and they are found close to parks, lakes, ponds, and even ditches that have standing water in them. Move in a non-threatening manner, and avoid eye contact with the animal as much as possible.

DOVE

One of my favorite birds to eat is the dove. They love millet, rice, sunflower seeds, peanuts, grass seeds, ragweed, corn, and pine cone kernels. If you have any of these items on site, try baiting an open area with the specific item and wait for the dove’s arrival. It may take up to two weeks for them to find it. However, if it rains and washes your seeds away you will need to rebait your area. The key is getting it where you have seen other doves previously. It is important to note that doves need to ingest a certain amount of shell rock every day to help them with their digestion and Ph balance,` so you may want to locate an area that fits this criteria to insure positive results. Shooting them with a small caliber rifle is ideal, but if things are real bad and you don’t have access to a firearm then there is another option I have used with much success. There are many breeds of doves– mourning, turtle, white wing, and ring neck, to name a few. They are all delicious to eat. They’re also related to the pigeon and do at times interbreed. They can be trapped, especially in the warmer months of the year and when water is scarce. You will need a tarp and some screen mesh. The main objective here is providing them with a water source that does not disperse into the soil and stays wet. Doves like shallow areas to drink from, and they don’t like to get their feet wet. The first step is to lay the tarp down on the ground in a low spot. You will need a low spot so that when you pour the water on it, the water stays in the pocket and doesn’t run off the tarp. (Because the water will be covered by screen, this will slow the evaporation process, and the water will stand for longer periods of time. If you don’t have a frame or anything structural to support your screen, the screen can be laid over a large hanging branch. Remember, it does not have to be perfect; you just need something that is enclosed and holds water with a small entrance at the bottom. The bird must be able to see the water inside. You must make sure that the screen encloses the entire tarp all the way to the ground with additional screen laying on the ground. It should resemble the shape of a tent, when you are done. It does not have to be large; six feet by six feet would be sufficient. Lay something with some weight on the excess screen around the entire perimeter of the tarp, ensuring that the screen is not going to blow up from the wind. It needs to be firm so when the bird goes in to drink the water and gets caught inside the enclosure, he is not able to free the screen lose at the bottom when he starts to fly. The bird won’t realize he can’t get out until he starts flapping his wings and comes in contact with the interior edges of the screen enclosure. There must be an opening at the bottom that the bird can see. (Eight inches by eight inches would be ideal.) This is a great way to catch all types of birds. Remember they need water just like we do, and when rain is few and far between, a water trap will work time and time again. One of the keys to removing your catch is running toward the bird once it is inside your trap. The bird’s natural instinct is to fly straight up, and once it tries to fly you’ve got him. Do not try and grab him by undoing the enclosure. Grab him from the outside, keeping the bird inside of the screen. Keep in mind, unlike other birds, doves do not bite; they are a very sweet mannered bird. Also remember to always be humane; take its life fast when you catch one.

News From The American Redoubt:

Feds extend comment period on plan to close areas to mining. – Sent in by RBS

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You will struggle reading this poorly written article, but it contains important information about Montana Ranchers acting as frontline guards, watching the Canadian border for illegal crossings.

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Car insurance study settles it: Montana has worst drivers

And this article from 2001 provides some background: Montana: No Speed Limit Safety Paradox

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Spokane: Some continue to feel affects of windstorm damage

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Idaho: Ex-elk ranch employee charged with stealing elk semen

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1st large-scale exercise set in military air training area

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This news story from Montana is odd: Bodies of elderly woman and her son found after eerie disappearance

Economics and Investing:

IMF to make Chinese yuan reserve currency in historic move – Sent in by G.G.

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Items from Mr. Econocobas:

China’s Yuan Approved by IMF for Special Basket Currencies– My question is, say the Yuan makes up 10% of the SDR, where does that 10% come from? The U.S. Dollar or who? How does that effect that currency(s) that is reduced?

Hyperinflation Watch: Kazakhstan Unveils New 20,000 Tenge Banknote

Items from Professor Preponomics:

Negative Interest Rates in Switzerland Have Economists Proposing Scary Scenarios: Should Cash Be Abolished? (Business Insider)

Trouble is Brewing in the Paper Markets for Gold and Silver (FXStreet)

It’s Getting Worse in Houston (Business Insider)

Here’s a Good Reason to Pay for Your Holiday Gifts in Cash: Sophisticated Malware Designed to Steal Your Data and Money (Market Watch)

Fed’s Tarullo to Biggest Banks: Stress Tests Likely to Get Harder (Wall Street Journal)

Why Defense Acquisition Has a Need for Speed (Heritage)

NYSE Boots National Bank of Greece (24/7WallSt)

How Hedgies Plundered Greek Banks (Contra Corner)

Greek Bank Stress Tests Leave Something to be Desired (Forbes)