The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods

SurvivalBlog presents another edition of The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods. This column is a collection of news bits and pieces that are relevant to the modern survivalist and prepper from JWR. Our goal is to educate our readers, to help them to recognize emerging threats, and to be better prepared for both disasters and negative societal trends. You can’t mitigate a risk if you haven’t first identified a risk. In today’s column, we look at the risks posed by automobile data in the wrong hands.

Did Your Car Witness a Crime? Police May Tow Your Tesla

In the S.F. Chronicle: Did your car witness a crime? Bay Area police may be coming for your Tesla — and they might tow it.

Insurance Companies Buying Car Driving History

EFF: Car Makers Shouldn’t Be Selling Our Driving History to Data Brokers and Insurance Companies. Here is a pericope:

“Technological advancements in cars have come a long way since General Motors launched OnStar in 1996. From the influx of mobile data facilitating in-car navigation, to the rise of telematics in the 2010s, cars today are more internet-connected than ever. This enables, for example, delivery of emergency warnings, notice of when you need an oil change, and software updates. Recent research predicts that by 2030, more than 95% of new passenger cars will contain some form of internet-connected service and surveillance.

Car manufacturers including General Motors, Kia, Subaru, and Mitsubishi have some form of services or apps that collect, maintain, and distribute your connected car data to insurance companies. Insurance companies spend thousands of dollars purchasing your car data to factor in these “select insights” about your driving behavior. Those insights are then factored into your “risk score,” which can potentially spike your insurance premiums.”

California: Speed Limit Alarms in Cars?

The Nanny State, run amok: California bill to require speed limit alarms in cars heads to governor.

Biden’s Plan to Pack the Supreme Court

Reader D.S.V.  sent this: Packing the Supreme Court: What It Could Mean for Gun Owners.

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

The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“In the United States, the top 1 percent of income earners pays nearly 40 percent of the total income tax revenue, and the top 10 percent pays almost 70 percent. Meanwhile the bottom 50 percent of taxpayers paid only 3 percent of federal income tax in 2016. When today’s socialists claim the rich aren’t paying their fair share they are ignoring the facts.” – Rand Paul, The Case Against Socialism

Preparedness Notes for Wednesday — September 11, 2024

We must never forget the sheer horror of the 9-11 terrorist attacks. (The Creative Commons photo above was taken by David Shankbone.)

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SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

Today we present another entry for Round 114 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include:

First Prize:

  1. The photovoltaic power specialists at Quantum Harvest LLC  are providing a store-wide 10% off coupon. Depending on the model chosen, this could be worth more than $2000.
  2. A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate. This can be used for any of their one, two, or three-day course (a $1,095 value),
  3. A Peak Refuel “Wasatch Pack” variety of 60 servings of premium freeze-dried breakfasts and dinners in individual meal pouches — a whopping 21,970 calories, all made and packaged in the USA — courtesy of Ready Made Resources (a $350 value),
  4. American Gunsmithing Institute (AGI) is providing a $300 certificate good towards any of their DVD training courses. Their course catalog now includes their latest Survival Gunsmithing course.
  5. HSM Ammunition in Montana is providing a $250 gift certificate. The certificate can be used for any of their products.

Second Prize:

  1. A SIRT STIC AR-15/M4 Laser Training Package, courtesy of Next Level Training, that has a combined retail value of $679
  2. Two 1,000-foot spools of full mil-spec U.S.-made 750 paracord (in-stock colors only) from www.TOUGHGRID.com (a $240 value).
  3. A Laptop EMP Shield and a Smartphone Faraday Bag (a combined value of $200), courtesy of MobileSecSolutions.com.
  4. Two sets of The Civil Defense Manual, (in two volumes) — a $193 value — kindly donated by the author, Jack Lawson.
  5. Two Super Survival Pack seed collections, a $150 value, courtesy of Seed for Security, LLC.
  6. A transferable $150 FRN purchase credit from Elk Creek Company, toward the purchase of any pre-1899 antique gun. There is no paperwork required for delivery of pre-1899 guns into most states, making them the last bastion of gun purchasing privacy!

Third Prize:

  1. A Berkey Light water filter, courtesy of USA Berkey Filters (a $305 value),
  2. Three sets each of made-in-USA regular and wide-mouth reusable canning lids. (This is a total of 300 lids and 600 gaskets.) This prize is courtesy of Harvest Guard (a $270 value)
  3. A $200 credit from Military Surplus LLC that can be applied to purchase and/or shipping costs for any of their in-stock merchandise, including full mil-spec ammo cans, Rothco clothing and field gear, backpacks, optics, compact solar panels, first aid kits, and more.
  4. A transferable $150 FRN purchase credit from Elk Creek Company, toward the purchase of any pre-1899 antique gun.

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More than $900,000 worth of prizes have been awarded since we started running this contest. In 2023, we polled blog readers, asking for suggested article topics. Please refer to that poll if you haven’t yet chosen an article topic. Round 114 ends on September 30th, 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.

Some Emergency Animal Care Experiences, by Hollyberry

Let me start out right away by saying I have absolutely no veterinarian training or any training in animal first aid. I am just an average person who lives miles from the nearest vet and has had many animals….dogs, cats, goats, rabbits, and fowl. I have had many health or injury issues to attend to over the decades and this is just what worked for my husband and I and hopefully you will never need any of this information! I also want to state that I have not received any money or discounts for recommending a product.

If you own animals at some point you will have some kind of injury or illness that you will need to address. It seems these incidents with our dogs always occur during a holiday or beginning of a weekend and the emergency vet clinic is 1.5 hours away and very expensive. If your pet is having an allergic reaction or a severe injury, you may not make it in time. The hardest thing in the world is having your dog die. It will rip your heart out. If you own pets or any livestock you are certain to deal with death at some point and it’s never easy. The more time you spend with pets/livestock, the more familiar you are with them and their behaviors and will be able to pick up if something is off with their health. The sooner you can identify an illness or injury, the better the outcome in most cases.Continue reading“Some Emergency Animal Care Experiences, by Hollyberry”

SurvivalBlog Readers’ & Editors’ Snippets

This weekly Snippets column is a collection of short items: responses to posted articles, practical self-sufficiency items, how-tos, lessons learned, tips and tricks, and news items — both from readers and from SurvivalBlog’s editors. Note that we may select some long e-mails for posting as separate letters.

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Navy warship commander relieved of duty after viral photo gaffe. JWR’s Comment:  The long delay in relieving him seems odd.  It would have been less embarrassing to our Senior Service if they’d done so, immediately.

o  o  o

8-Year-Old Skillfully Drives Tractors and Helps With Farm Chores, Says He’s Going to Take Over the Family Farm.

o  o  o

Reader J.R.G. wrote:

“I am very much enjoying Tunnel Rabbit’s thoughts on hunting – foraging during desperate times.  Good practical advice that people who live in rural areas would be well advised to read and consider.  Hunting skill and patience required to be successful, as well as recognizing the presence of game sign to avoid barren areas.

The .410 has been considered a novelty – toy fit for either expert wing shooters or young kids who aren’t old enough to use a ‘real shotgun’.  The small shot load is a hindrance when shooting at moving targets.  But when the game is stationary or perched, a completely different situation altogether.  The small amount of shot will do much less damage to the meat collected.  ‘Pot Shots’ are more productive and for this situation, the .410 is well suited.  The single shot long barreled .410 is relatively quiet – my Yildiz TK-36 .410 has a 28” long barrel and conveniently folds nearly in half so can be carried in pack or folding chair bag much easier.  The real ‘bug’ in .410 is the cost of factory ammunition.  If there is a cartridge destined for reloading, the .410 is a candidate for it.  Those old now sadly discontinued Savage 24s are great tools for this purpose.

Barrel sleeve inserts add to versatility but recognize the weight gain having the shotgun bore filled with steel sleeve.  My MCA Sports Ace Dube 18” long .30-30 Winchester for a 20 gauge barrel weighs approximately 1-¼ pounds.  This weight definitely adds to a steadying effect when shooting offhand.  Slow to reload, so making that shot count is much more critical.

Air rifles, particularly spring piston break barrels are great for areas more near suburbia.  Very productive for small vermin control, especially around places that can be damaged with powder-burning firearms.  Fewer restriction because of non-powder-burning (but definitely check all firearm laws before using, as some states prohibit game animals being harvested via powder-burning firearms).”

o  o  o

“Tunnel Rabbit may wish to review the following statement in today’s article:

‘The .410 2-1/2 inch standard shell is noticeably on the light side, but good enough for small birds, and squirrels out in the open. I used the .22 LR to shoot pheasant. And .410 slugs would be good enough on deer at close range well under 50 yards and it could also handle .45 Long Colt, but the smooth bore will not stabilize this round, so slugs and 00 buck are the only viable choices.’
If I understand correctly, the .410 bore is 0.410-0.415 inches without a choke, while the .45 Colt shoots a .452 diameter bullet. It is possible to shoot a .410 in a dual-chambered .45 Colt, but the wad will need to fill an extra ~.042″ nominal gap, or 0.021 per side, which is within reason.
What I have done in a Cylinder Bore .410 smoothbore, is push a .358 LSWC into a birdshot wad on top of 12 grains of 2400 powder. (Black powder could also be used.) It is functionally accurate out to 50 feet, in my experience. Not great, but a cheap expedient slug. Certainly better than nothing. They do keyhole, so terminal sectional density isn’t necessarily a lot better than a foster slug. However, it isn’t as likely to fall apart.”

Continue reading“SurvivalBlog Readers’ & Editors’ Snippets”

The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“The law of unintended consequences has been confirmed repeatedly. Any political faction that wishes to eliminate all opportunities to fail will consequently also eliminate nearly every opportunity to succeed.” – James Wesley, Rawles

Preparedness Notes for Tuesday — September 10, 2024

On September 10, 1910 the Great Idaho Fire (a.k.a. “The Big Burn”) began.  It destroyed more than 3 million acres of timber in Idaho and adjoining Montana.

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We just heard that the legendary actor James Earl Jones passed away. Most people associate him with his role voicing Darth Vader or perhaps his great role in Field Of Dreams, but I’ll always remember him as Lt. Lothar Zogg, in Dr. Strangelove. That was his first feature film role. Our condolences to his family.

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SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

Today we present another entry for Round 114 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include:

First Prize:

  1. The photovoltaic power specialists at Quantum Harvest LLC  are providing a store-wide 10% off coupon. Depending on the model chosen, this could be worth more than $2000.
  2. A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate. This can be used for any of their one, two, or three-day course (a $1,095 value),
  3. A Peak Refuel “Wasatch Pack” variety of 60 servings of premium freeze-dried breakfasts and dinners in individual meal pouches — a whopping 21,970 calories, all made and packaged in the USA — courtesy of Ready Made Resources (a $350 value),
  4. American Gunsmithing Institute (AGI) is providing a $300 certificate good towards any of their DVD training courses. Their course catalog now includes their latest Survival Gunsmithing course.
  5. HSM Ammunition in Montana is providing a $250 gift certificate. The certificate can be used for any of their products.

Second Prize:

  1. A SIRT STIC AR-15/M4 Laser Training Package, courtesy of Next Level Training, that has a combined retail value of $679
  2. Two 1,000-foot spools of full mil-spec U.S.-made 750 paracord (in-stock colors only) from www.TOUGHGRID.com (a $240 value).
  3. A Laptop EMP Shield and a Smartphone Faraday Bag (a combined value of $200), courtesy of MobileSecSolutions.com.
  4. Two sets of The Civil Defense Manual, (in two volumes) — a $193 value — kindly donated by the author, Jack Lawson.
  5. Two Super Survival Pack seed collections, a $150 value, courtesy of Seed for Security, LLC.
  6. A transferable $150 FRN purchase credit from Elk Creek Company, toward the purchase of any pre-1899 antique gun. There is no paperwork required for delivery of pre-1899 guns into most states, making them the last bastion of gun purchasing privacy!

Third Prize:

  1. A Berkey Light water filter, courtesy of USA Berkey Filters (a $305 value),
  2. Three sets each of made-in-USA regular and wide-mouth reusable canning lids. (This is a total of 300 lids and 600 gaskets.) This prize is courtesy of Harvest Guard (a $270 value)
  3. A $200 credit from Military Surplus LLC that can be applied to purchase and/or shipping costs for any of their in-stock merchandise, including full mil-spec ammo cans, Rothco clothing and field gear, backpacks, optics, compact solar panels, first aid kits, and more.
  4. A transferable $150 FRN purchase credit from Elk Creek Company, toward the purchase of any pre-1899 antique gun.

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More than $900,000 worth of prizes have been awarded since we started running this contest. In 2023, we polled blog readers, asking for suggested article topics. Please refer to that poll if you haven’t yet chosen an article topic. Round 114 ends on September 30th, 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.

Thoughts on Camp of the Saints, by SaraSue

The following are my thoughts on the novel Camp of the Saints. It was written by Jean Raspail, and published in 1973:

I recently read the English translation of Camp of the Saints. It was horrifying, but a good study in how people act and respond in terrifying situations. I wonder if this book is banned for being “racist” in a lot of places or in people’s minds. It addresses that concept. Its main theme, in my mind, is the hypocrisy of the church, of those who want to “save humanity”, of the do-gooders, etc., and then, how they react when danger comes to their front door. I’m not sure I could recommend it for your reading pleasure, unless you want a view and understanding of what it’s like for your country to be invaded and taken over. In which case, it might be eye-opening and spur you to work even harder on your own safety and security. Also, I think a primary theme is the idea that there is no such thing as universal peace and compatibility between people of different cultures and races. Each “tribe” prefers their own way of living, and their own cultural and moral standards. The book showcases “white guilt”. It showcases the idealistic goals of the leftist, globalist, Marxist/communist/socialist believers, and the idea that we must all embrace “equity” – the rich must be destroyed and the poor lifted up. The playing field must be leveled, in their view, no matter the consequences. And no matter who dies in the process.Continue reading“Thoughts on Camp of the Saints, by SaraSue”

SurvivalBlog’s News From The American Redoubt

This weekly column features news stories and event announcements from around the American Redoubt region. (Idaho, Montana, eastern Oregon, eastern Washington, and Wyoming.) Much of the region is also more commonly known as The Inland Northwest. We also mention companies located in the American Redoubt region that are of interest to preppers and survivalists. Today, we focus on crypto miners and other cryptocurrency and blockchain-based ventures in the American Redoubt.

Idaho

Idaho Republicans oppose central bank digital currency, advocate for Bitcoin.  Here is an excerpt:

“The Republican Party of Idaho has vehemently opposed the creation of a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) in the United States, advocating instead for using decentralized digital currencies like Bitcoin.

This stance was outlined in a recent report from the party’s 2024 convention platform committee session. The report stated:

“We oppose the creation of a Central Bank Digital Currency, the regulation and/or excessive taxation of decentralized digital currencies such as Bitcoin, and we affirm the right of individuals to engage in commerce and exchange with cash, barter, precious metals, and decentralized digital currencies.””

o  o  o

The Idaho-based blockchain software developer Red Duck is continuing to grow,

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

Preparedness Notes for Monday — September 9, 2024

On September 9, 1839, English scientist and astronomer John Herschel (Sir John Frederick William Herschel) took the first glass plate photograph.

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American Gunsmithing Institute (AGI) is one of the long-time prize sponsors of our writing contest. They’ve announced a new course on DVD (or online) that should be of great interest to SurvivalBlog readers: Survival Gunsmithing. This course has more than 10 hours of instruction. It will be priced at $397. But for just a limited time, it is being sold at 50% off.

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SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

Today we present another entry for Round 114 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include:

First Prize:

  1. The photovoltaic power specialists at Quantum Harvest LLC  are providing a store-wide 10% off coupon. Depending on the model chosen, this could be worth more than $2000.
  2. A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate. This can be used for any of their one, two, or three-day course (a $1,095 value),
  3. A Peak Refuel “Wasatch Pack” variety of 60 servings of premium freeze-dried breakfasts and dinners in individual meal pouches — a whopping 21,970 calories, all made and packaged in the USA — courtesy of Ready Made Resources (a $350 value),
  4. American Gunsmithing Institute (AGI) is providing a $300 certificate good towards any of their DVD training courses. Their course catalog now includes their latest Survival Gunsmithing course.
  5. HSM Ammunition in Montana is providing a $250 gift certificate. The certificate can be used for any of their products.

Second Prize:

  1. A SIRT STIC AR-15/M4 Laser Training Package, courtesy of Next Level Training, that has a combined retail value of $679
  2. Two 1,000-foot spools of full mil-spec U.S.-made 750 paracord (in-stock colors only) from www.TOUGHGRID.com (a $240 value).
  3. A Laptop EMP Shield and a Smartphone Faraday Bag (a combined value of $200), courtesy of MobileSecSolutions.com.
  4. Two sets of The Civil Defense Manual, (in two volumes) — a $193 value — kindly donated by the author, Jack Lawson.
  5. Two Super Survival Pack seed collections, a $150 value, courtesy of Seed for Security, LLC.
  6. A transferable $150 FRN purchase credit from Elk Creek Company, toward the purchase of any pre-1899 antique gun. There is no paperwork required for delivery of pre-1899 guns into most states, making them the last bastion of gun purchasing privacy!

Third Prize:

  1. A Berkey Light water filter, courtesy of USA Berkey Filters (a $305 value),
  2. Three sets each of made-in-USA regular and wide-mouth reusable canning lids. (This is a total of 300 lids and 600 gaskets.) This prize is courtesy of Harvest Guard (a $270 value)
  3. A $200 credit from Military Surplus LLC that can be applied to purchase and/or shipping costs for any of their in-stock merchandise, including full mil-spec ammo cans, Rothco clothing and field gear, backpacks, optics, compact solar panels, first aid kits, and more.
  4. A transferable $150 FRN purchase credit from Elk Creek Company, toward the purchase of any pre-1899 antique gun.

—

More than $900,000 worth of prizes have been awarded since we started running this contest. In 2023, we polled blog readers, asking for suggested article topics. Please refer to that poll if you haven’t yet chosen an article topic. Round 114 ends on September 30th, 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.

 

G9 Defense 9mm EHP Ammo, by Thomas Christianson

G9 Defense 9mm External Hollow Point (EHP) Personal Defense Ammo offers a powerful self-defense round in a standard pressure loading (1480 FPS), or in a more powerful +P loading (1520 FPS).

The flutes on the outside of the solid copper bullet create cavitation in liquids and soft tissue, thus transferring energy laterally upon impact. They do not create cavitation in solids, thus allowing the bullet to effectively penetrate barriers like drywall, glass, or sheet metal with minimal deflection or projectile deformation.

At the time of this writing a 20-round box of either load cost $36.99 from www.g9defense.com . That is comparable in price to other high-quality personal defense ammo. G9 ammo is made in the USA.

Background

My go-to defensive handgun is a Rock Island Armory MAPP. I like it because I can shoot it more accurately than any other 9mm handgun that I have ever used. The down side is that the MAPP can only handle standard pressure loads, and most self-defense ammo is rated +P.

I recently received a press release about G9 Defense 9mm External Hollow Point Personal Defense Ammunition. I was interested to note that the ammo is available in standard pressure loadings, as well as +P. I asked G9 Defense for a sample of the standard pressure ammo for testing and evaluation. They were kind enough to agree to provide me with two 20-round boxes. Three days later, a small shipping box arrived on my porch via UPS Ground.

First Impressions

The words printed on the sides of the 2 boxes of ammo announced that it the ammo is “Proudly Made in the USA.” The cartridges appeared to be well made, and arrived in good condition.

The shipping box also contained a business card with the web address for G9 Defense, a G9 Defense sticker, and a card with information about Warriors Heart, a private treatment center for substance abuse and PTSD especially designed for those who formerly served in the military.Continue reading“G9 Defense 9mm EHP Ammo, by Thomas Christianson”

Recipe of the Week: Patty’s Salad Dressing Bundt Cake

The following simple recipe for Salad Dressing Bundt Cake is from SurvivalBlog reader Patty in Vermont. Note that nearly any mayonnaise-based salad dressing can be used.

Ingredients
  • 2 cups flour
  • 1/2 tsp Baking Soda
  • 6 tsp Cocoa Powder
  • 1 cup White Sugar
  • 1 cup Salad Dressing
  • 1 cup Water
  • 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
Directions
  1. Pre-heat oven to 375 F.
  2. Mix all ingredients in a large mixing bowl.
  3. Pour batter into a greased Bundt pan.
  4. Bake at 375 F. for about one hour.
  5. Test with a toothpick, to be sure that the cake is sufficiently baked.
SERVING

Serve hot or cold. Any icing is optional.

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Do you have a well-tested recipe that would be of interest to SurvivalBlog readers? In this weekly recipe column, we place emphasis on recipes that use long-term storage foods, recipes for wild game, dutch oven recipes, slow cooker recipes, and any recipes that use home garden produce. If you have any favorite recipes, then please send them via e-mail. Thanks!

SurvivalBlog Graphic of the Week

Today’s graphic shows Continental U.S Railroad Lines, by ownership. (The graphic courtesy of Reddit.  The “ownereship” typo included in the graphic is not ours!)

The thumbnail below is click-expandable.

 

 

 

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Please send your graphic ideas to JWR. (Either via e-mail or via our Contact form.) Any graphics that you send must either be your own creation or uncopyrighted.

The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“Among the natural rights of the colonists are these: First a right to life, secondly to liberty, and thirdly to property; together with the right to defend them in the best manner they can.” – Samuel Adams