Economics and Investing:

Getting ready for a cashless society? France Prohibits Sending Currency, “Coins And Precious Metals” By Mail

The Maduro era: Venezuela hit by fears of hyperinflation and recession

Silver Prices: Paper, Physical and the Coin Dealer

FDIC closes North Las Vegas bank; will reopen under different ownership

Items from The Economatrix:

Financial Insider:  “We Are Moving Into The Last Stages Before An All-Out Collapse”

Greenspan: Taper Now, Even If Economy Not Ready; Marc Faber: Even QE99 Won’t Help Us

May Jobs Reports “Pleased No One” Says Paulsen



Odds ‘n Sods:

Jim W. sent: The Obama Administration Plans to End All Federal Protection of Gray Wolves

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SurvivalBlog’s Editor at Large Michael Z. Williamson has released two new humorous T-Shirts that are bound to be the height of fashion at gun shows and at shooting ranges: Soliliqy and AK Impact.

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Two more of Mike Bloomberg’s “crime-fighting” mayors are in hot water. The latest headlines: Mayor gives home makeover documents to grand jury and E. Orange council demands mayor Bowser resign after he admits to sexual affair in legal papers. Twice-convicted Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick is still awaiting sentencing (on 24 counts including conspiracy, extortion, bribery, racketeering, and tax evasion), but he has just been released for knee surgery. And in other news: Federal corruption trial of Trenton Mayor Tony Mack postponed to January. (Mayor Mack arrogantly and shamelessly refuses to step down from office. His salary is $126,000 per year, yet he claimed poverty and demanded a public defender, at taxpayer expense. Maybe he should have used some of that graft money. Or is it considered bad form to pay your attorney with wads of Ben Franklins?) So these are some of the “we know what’s best for you” mayors who are are seeking to disarm us! By the way, the anti-gun hypocrites are also soon starting a multi-state bus tour. Any bets on whether or not they’ll stop in Trenton, Philadelphia, or Detroit? I’m betting that they’ll mainly be stopping in White Bread Soccer Mom towns, looking for more sympathetic and gullible sheeple. Baaaaaah!

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“We Are This Far From A Turnkey Totalitarian State” – Big Brother Goes Live September 2013. And on the same note: NSA Prism: Why I’m boycotting US cloud tech – and you should too

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I heard from my publisher that there are now more than 255,700 copies of my book “How to Survive the End of the World as We Know It” in print after 17 printings. The same publisher (Penguin) will be publishing my upcoming book (Rawles on Tools for Survival) in 2014.

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John N. suggested this article: 10 Improvised Weapons Made By Syrian Rebels





Note from JWR:

I heard that fellow blogger Ron (a.k.a. “The Orange Jeep Dad“) will soon be leaving Phoenix, Arizona and moving his wife and family (they have six daughters) to their old family farm in Oklahoma. Established in the late 1800s, it has been abandoned since the 1980s when his grandfather became ill. Ron promises to blog about the entire adventure and include videos of how he and his family learn to farm, raise livestock, homestead, and homeschool. We wish Ron and his family the best for their move. Their new life will be quite a ride. And as one who has been living in the hinterboonies and homeschooling my kids for many years, I can say most assuredly: He won’t regret it! Be sure to bookmark Ron’s site, and check it often.



How Can We Be “Antigovernment”?

Recently, I was falsely labeled “antigovernment” by the SPLC, and that prompts me to post some clarifying remarks: There is a huge difference between being “antigovernment” and being someone who insists that our government remain our government and that it abide by the law of the land. Constitutional rights are not negotiable.

In our system of government–a Constitutional Republic–we are a nation of laws, with the consent of the governed. In effect, we govern ourselves, through our elected representatives and our appointed officials. Or at least that is how it is supposed to work. I am not a “subject” of the state. I am not a serf. I’m not a vassal. Rather, I am a de jure part of the government, because I’m a Citizen and a part of “We, The People.” I’m in fact a descendant of colonial Americans who pre-dated the Constitution. So, by definition I am not and cannot be “antigovernment.” Yes, there are some current government policies that I oppose. Yes, there has been some legislation that I have opposed. Yes, there have been candidates for public office that I have opposed. And yes, there are some pressure groups (like Mayor Bloomberg’s MAIG) that I oppose. But please don’t call me–and folks like me–“antigovernment,” because we are the government.

In recent years, some government officials (who had been called “public servants”, in a gentler age) have lost sight of who they work for, and they’ve started to look upon the Citizenry as their subjects. Opposition to that view does not make me a rebel. Let me step back for a moment and explain what has happened: During my lifetime, some statist and collectivist insurgents have insidiously risen to positions of power within our government. So I’m what could best be called a counterinsurgent. I’m not trying to tear down the government. Instead, I’m doing my best to restore it.

There is an ongoing culture war in America. On one side are the statists, collectivists, and authoritarians of various stripes. On the other side is America’s traditional freedom-loving and minimalist government-espousing bedrock culture. I represent the latter. Let freedom reign! – JWR



Betsy’s Book Review: The Prepper’s Cookbook by Tess Pennington

Publisher:  Ulysses Press, Berkeley, California. Copyright: 2013
ISBN:  978-1-61243-129-1
223 pages
Available on Amazon or eBay for between $10 and $15

I received The Prepper’s Cookbook: 300 Recipes to Turn Your Emergency Food into Nutritious, Delicious, Life-Saving Meals as a copy for review. Tess Pennington made the assumption that the reader of her cookbook is new to prepping.  She goes step by step and explains why to prep, why to be proactive, and how to afford food preps. Also covered are economic prepping, the just-in-time grocery store concept, how to begin to stockpile, and rotating supplies. Additionally, she explains “essential tools” for the prepared kitchen, such as a food dehydrator, wheat grinder, solar oven, sprouter, grill, and water purification system.

No cookbook can be all inclusive, but Pennington covers or at least mentions most of the topics that serious food preppers are familiar with. The beauty of this cookbook is that basic prep information is contained in one easy-to-read, well-organized book for the person who is already serious about prepping or just getting started with their food supplies.

The author touches on dehydrating and fermenting foods, but doesn’t go into great depth. She does, however, give readers a lengthy chapter on preserving by water bath and by pressure canning, including charts and recipes.

The author addresses one of my favorite topics — how to use spices to combat appetite fatigue. She gives the cook 10 recipes for combining herbs and spices to create mixes in convenient amounts to fit spice jars. Some are for sweet recipes, the majority are for savory dishes. I find this to be a very useful part of the cookbook.

Other topics include keeping foods cool, sanitation, making meals stretch, oxygen absorbers, healthy substitutes, and staples to store. Interestingly, Pennington knows to instruct readers about the importance of clean water. Topics covered are how to treat, store, and find water. This water discussion is fairly unusual in a cookbook.

Pennington is a prepper and knows the prepper buzz words, such as FIFO.  She teaches readers by explaining how to get organized, how to plan, and how to start.

I’m encouraged by a short section entitled “Canning Off The Grid.” Peterson mentions canning using a fireplace, a fire pit, and a Mexican horno.

One question I have concerns a recipe for “Dehydrated Noodles” using a bag of dry egg noodles. The directions call for undercooking the noodles, then dehydrating, and storing in an airtight container which will keep for 6 months. I’m stumped. A bag of dry noodles will keep for 6 months, probably much longer if you use a Food Saver. Boiling water is still required for rehydration, as it is for noodles out of the bag. What’s the point?

The heart of the cookbook, the recipes, is logically organized into chapters: Breakfast, Lunch, Supper, Beans and Rice, Kid-Approved Snacks, Side Dishes, Grains, Breads and Pastas, Desserts, Beverages, and Alternative Ingredients.

A couple of recipes that caught my eyes were “Poor Man’s Village Bread” which can be baked, fried, or grilled and uses 2 cups of sauerkraut and “20 ways to eat beans and rice” which combines various types of these two ingredients to build complete proteins.

Many survivalblog.com readers have canned ham and canned chicken in their pantries. I quickly found five recipes using canned chicken and 2 recipes using canned ham. Its always helpful to find tasty recipes for canned meat. I intend to try “Cola Canned Ham” outdoors on the grill and in the solar oven. Just wish I had known about this fast and easy recipe that we could have cooked over a wood fire when I was leading my Girl Scout troops. Essentially, use a church key opener to punch holes in the ham can. Replace the gelatin with Coca-Cola and heat for an hour. Sounds delicious, and I can’t wait to try it.

In conclusion, I enjoyed perusing this cookbook and would add it to my prepping bookshelf. Best feature of Ms. Pennington’s book is how gloriously well-organized, how full of life-saving information, and how eminently readable it is.

Editor’s Disclaimer: Although Ulysses Press is one of my publishers (they publish my novel “Patriots“), I have no financial interest in this book, other than that some copies of it might be ordered from the SurvivalBlog Amazon Store. (Just like hundreds of other books that have been mentioned in SurvivalBlog, over the years.) Ulysses Press sent the review copy of this book to the reviewer directly without first contacting me, and they did not solicit me to run the review.



Michael Z. Williamson’s Product Review: Brite Strike LED Tactical Balls

I’m reviewing the Brite Strike LED Tactical Balls® RID-3, Rolling Illuminated Distraction and Disorientation Device. Awkward name aside, these are an interesting item.

The LED balls come as a set of three, in a black nylon pouch with a MOLLE-compatible belt loop and Velcro closure.  They activate with a push button on the back, which is readily locatable by touch.  Once lit, you roll them into an area and they tumble, sending bright light in several directions each.

RID-3 are a low-level substitute for a flash bang device, being less distracting, but much safer.  Brite Strike publicizes this fact; they are honest about the capabilities.  However, for situations where flash bangs are unsafe, or for civilians who can’t get them, these are still a useful device.
 
In a dark room with a hard floor, there is both a rattling noise and the shifting lights.  They roll for about 5 seconds, then steady out, lights facing up, to provide steady illumination of the threat.

I performed several tests.  These are fairly durable, but they are made for rolling, not throwing or dropping.  A three foot drop caused the case of one to burst open.  However, it did reassemble and function again.  In extremis, consider that a bright, spinning LED hurled at a threat would certainly make them focus on it, not other people.

The rear of the RID-3 case unscrews easily to replace batteries (Which are included.)  They take two CR2032 batteries each.  Brightness seems to be about 20 lumens (13,000 MCD with a 90º beam), and they are rated for 20 hours.

A military/police variant with infrared (IR) LEDs is available as a set of 5 with no pouch.

Especially if you have a house with a hallway with a hard surface, these would make a nice adjunct to your defensive kit.  If you have stairs, the effect should be even more pronounced, understanding that the RID-3 may be damaged from the fall.

When not being used as distractions, these are still useful little lights that can be lowered into toolboxes, sumps, crates or other containers to illuminate contents.  They can be set on the ground cloth, cot or end table while camping.  They would work under the hood of a car or in a foot well. Anywhere a compact, up-facing light would be useful, they can be deployed. And, of course, they can be held in hand, or in a closed fist, with the closed fingers as an aperture for low level illumination for maps or gear.

The MSRP for the RID-3 set is $55.99.  This works out to about $16 per unit, plus a little for the pouch.  They can be found less expensively at various outlets. – SurvivalBlog Editor at Large Michael Z. Williamson
 
Disclaimer
(per FTC File No. P034520): The author was furnished one set of Brite Strike LED Tactical Balls for evaluation. SurvivalBlog accepts cash-paid advertising. To the best of my knowledge, as of the date of this posting, none of our advertisers that sell the products mentioned in this article have solicited SurvivalBlog or our staff to write any reviews or endorsements, nor have they provided me any free or reduced-price gear in exchange for any reviews or endorsements. JWR is not a stock holder in any company. SurvivalBlog does, however, benefit from sales through the SurvivalBlog Amazon Store. If you click on one of our Amazon links and then “click through” to order ANY product from Amazon.com (not just the ones listed in our catalog), then we will earn a modest sales commission.



Pat’s Product Review: Montie Gear Ultra-Lightweight Knife

Over the years I’ve probably handled and tested well over a thousand different knife designs. I know a lot about knives. I look for quality materials in knives, then I look at their intended purpose, as well as the carry system – be they folders with pocket clips, or fixed blade knives with sheaths. I also look at the design of a knife, and I look at the price point, too. I test knives for sharpness and durability – do they do what they are supposed to do?
 
Some time ago, I wrote an article on the Montie Gear sling shot, and in my humble opinion, I believe it is the best sling shot on the market – albeit a little expensive – but it certainly is high quality. Montie Gear also came out with an attachment for their sling shot, that allows you to shoot arrows – for hunting small game. And, they also produced a folding arrow, to use with their sling shot. Be sure to check it out on their web site for more information. I’ve learned that Montie Gear produces high-quality everything. No short cuts, and only the best materials are used in the things they produce.
 
When Montie Gear sent me their new Ultra-lightweight fixed blade knife, I was a little anxious to get my hands on it. The first thing that catches your attention is the quick draw aluminum sheath that the knife is in. Yes, that’s right, in this day and age of Kydex sheaths, Montie Gear, came up with a sheath – a skeletonized aluminum sheath – that carries their neat little fixed blade knife. And, it has a quick draw release – you simply place your thumb on top of the lever and press down and draw the knife – simple – and I like simple, less things to go wrong. The sheath also has different mounting attachments, for belt carry, or you can even place it on your gear.
 
The blade steel is listed simply as “Chrome Vanadium Steel” on their web site, with a blade that is approximately 3-inches long, with a Rockwell hardness of 58-62 and an overall length of just under 7-inches. The handle of the knife is covered with wrapped Paracord, and you can get it in different colors, my sample had a black Paracord wrapped handle. The knife only weighs in a 3.7-ounces, too – so it is lightweight to be sure. You can also get the knife without a 550 Paracord wrapped handle, too.
 
However, there is one distinct difference in the knife, compared to most others, and that is, the blade is replaceable – that’s right, if you damage the blade or break it, you can simply unscrew it from the main part of the knife and replace it with another blade. Montie Gear guarantees their knives with a lifetime warranty. So, if you happen to break the blade, you send it back to them with a small fee for shipping and handling and they will replace the blade. They also have a sharpening service, but I don’t know what the fee is for re-sharpening the knife. If you keep your knife sharp, you shouldn’t have to send it back to the company to have their re-sharpen it – that’s my thoughts. I don’t like a dull knife – they are dangerous and can’t get the job done when you need it.
 
The design of the blade is akin to a reverse (upside-down) Tanto-style blade, and it is very easy to re-sharpen, too. I found this small little knife very easy to use and because of the blade design you can do some extra-fine detail cutting if need be. In a survival situation, you must have a blade that is easy to re-sharpen in my opinion. I will say this, without a doubt, this knife was the sharpest I’ve even tested – bar none! The blade is hand-sharpened, and I don’t know if the final edge was done on a buffing wheel, but mine had the literal razor-edge on it – you could easily shave with it, if you had to. The blade’s edge really gripped into anything you want to cut – I liked it – a lot!
 
As a rule, I like bigger knives – fixed blade or folders, because I think they are a bit more useful for different tasks. However, the Montie Gear Ultra-lightweight fixed blade, did everything I asked of it. I didn’t try to chop through any tree branches – the knife isn’t designed for this. However, if you want a constant companion, in a fixed blade knife, that you can wear on your belt all day long – and forget it is there, and a knife that can handle any chores around the house and kitchen, this is a worthy contender in this regard. Almost daily, I have deliveries for UPS or FedEx – and the USPS, and these are boxes that need to be opened, and this little Ultra-lightweight folder not only zipped through opening the boxes, it also made quick work of cutting the boxes down for easy disposal in the trash – that is, when I can get a box away from one of my German Shepherds. (My dog Sarge believes that UPS and FedEx only come to bring him cardboard boxes to tear apart. He often grabs a box out of my hand, before I’ve had a chance to open it and remove the contents.)
 
I think, more than anything that I liked the quick-draw sheath that the knife is housed in – it is very secure, and you don’t have to worry about the knife falling out of it. However, it only takes a split second to press down on the release lever, to get the knife in your hand and into action. Now, while this knife, because of it’s small blade length, isn’t particularly designed as a self-defense blade, it can be used as one in a last ditch effort. I’ve noted many times, that most knife fights or self-defense situations call for slashing moves, instead of a stabbing wound…and this knife can easily slice through heavy clothing – even a leather jacket – and get to flesh and bone, if need be. However, I think this knife is more suited for everyday use around the house or on the job – and would make a neat little trail knife for your wilderness hikes. It would also serve to dress out big game, too.
 
Now, to the nitty-gritty, the price of the knife. Like all Montie Gear, their products are expensive. Then again they use the finest materials and their workmanship is outstanding. There is no junk from Montie Gear. The retail price of the Ultra-lightweight fixed blade knife is $249.99. And be advised that it usually takes a couple weeks to get one of these neat little knives – they are always on back-order. If you’re looking for a new fixed blade companion, check out this knife on the Montie Gear web site, and I believe you’ll be impressed. You could do a lot worse, and pay more, but I don’t think you’ll find many knives like this one, with the design of the blade, to be replaced if damaged or broken, and the super-cool sheath that houses it. This is just one of those knives, that when you pick it up, you can’t put it down! – SurvivalBlog Field Gear Editor Pat Cascio



Letter Re: Chicken and Beef Bouillon Without MSG

 

Hi Jim, 
I was in Costco yesterday and noticed that they now stock chicken and beef bouillon that has no MSG. Some people try to avoid MSG because it gives them headaches. I like to avoid it for health reasons, since it’s been shown that MSG is an excitotoxin–a nasty chemical that may cause humans to develop brain diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. No thanks!

The Bouillon in question is sold under the “Better Than Bouillon” brand, and I think bullion will store very well for at least five years, making it a great addition to our food storage pantries.  

Best to you, – Sarah S.

JWR Replies: Thanks for mentioning that. Stocking up on storage food anther items for your family’s survival stockpile at stores like Costco and Sam’s Club is described in “Rawles Gets You Ready Preparedness Course.” The course is continuing to sell briskly, since it is now priced at less that $20. As I’ve mentioned before, you’ll get immediate delivery, via digital download.



California’s Draconian Gun Legislation: The Beat Goes On, and On

California State Senator Tom Berryhill (who represents a far-flung conservative district up in the lightly-populated Sierras) recently sent an e-mail with a depressingly long list of pending Democrat-sponsored gun legislation in People’s Republic of California:

Senate Bill (S.B.) 47 (Yee, D-San Francisco) Changes the definition of “assault weapon” to include a firearm which is a semiautomatic, centerfire rifle or semiautomatic pistol that does not have a detachable magazine.

S.B. 53 (DeLeon, D-Los Angeles) Dubbed the “ammo purchase permit bill”, this legislation creates new state permits that require background checks for buyers of ammunition.

S.B. 108 (Yee, D-SF) Requires ‘safe’ storage of firearms and lays out penalties for failure to store them properly. A one-sized fits all approach to safe storage is impractical and does not take into account the wide variety of people that own and safely store their firearms.

S.B. 374 (Steinberg, D-Sacramento) Ban on the sale of all semi-auto rifles, this bill would ban rimfire and centerfire semi-auto rifles with detachable magazines with fixed magazines over ten rounds.

S.B. No. 396 (Hancock, D-Berkeley) Ban all magazines that hold more than ten rounds, regardless of the date acquired. A violation is punishable by imprisonment in a county jail.

S.B. 293 (DeSaulnier, D-Concord) Proposes any pistol or handgun sold in California to eventually be equipped with owner recognition technology.

S.B. 299 (DeSaulnier, D-Concord) Requires a 48 hour turnaround from a firearm owner discovering a firearm missing and reporting it (theft, loss or recovery) to local law enforcement. Failure to comply can result in fines and prison time.

S.B. 475 (Leno, D-San Francisco) Sets up additional hurdles for the Cow Palace to contract for a ‘gun show’ or other event at which a firearm or ammunition is going to be sold on the property.

S.B. 567 (Jackson, D-Santa Barbara) Changes the definition of certain kinds of “shotguns” to make them assault weapons.

S.B. No. 755 (Wolk D-Davis) This bill adds a number of crimes – including drug addiction, chronic alcoholism and others – that would result in a 10-year ban on gun ownership.

S.B. No. 683 (Block, D-San Diego) Requires all gun buyers to take a firearm safety class and earn a safety certificate.

Assembly Bill 48 (Skinner, D-Berkeley) Revises the definition of “large-capacity magazine” to mean any ammunition feeding device with the capacity to accept more than ten rounds.

Assembly Bill 169 (Dickinson, D-Sacramento) BANS the sale of handguns not on the state-approved roster – this would include banning the sale of millions of old and used handguns currently owned by Californians by dealers and private party transfers.

Assembly Bill 180 (Bonta, D-Oakland) Repeals California’s firearm preemption law by granting Oakland an exemption to enact unique laws regarding possession, registration, licensing and subjecting gun owners to unknowing criminal liability when traveling through Oakland.

Assembly Bill 231 (Ting, D-San Francisco) expands the law for Criminal Storage of Firearms and child access placing unprecedented liability on gun owners.

Assembly Bill 711 (Rendon, D-Lakewood) BANS the use of all lead ammunition for hunting.

Assembly Bill 760 (Dickinson, D-Sacramento) Tax on ammunition.

With a deeply entrenched Democrat majority now controlling the state senate, the state assembly, and the governorship, California seems doomed. The state is doomed to perpetual over-spending, high taxation, and horrible gun laws. Vote with your feet, folks!



Letter Re: Sugardyne for Wound Treatment

Hi James,
I’m sure you’ve heard of this–but on the off chance you haven’t, you definitely need to: The miraculous wound-healing benefits of a goop made from sugar and betadine (povidone iodine–available cheaply everywhere). You mix together and make a paste, which can be packed into deep wounds and gouges. Some people refer to it as “sugardine.”

Not everyone knows that sugar alone has been used for hundreds of years as an effective gunshot wound treatment. The high osmotic gradient it promotes attracts and traps bacteria–and animal cells are better able to withstand high osmotic conditions than bacterial cells. The addition of the povidone iodine makes it even more effective.

There are countless stories of near miraculous saves of horses with bad wounds that wouldn’t heal, using this paste. I’ve used it to great effect on myself and on my dogs–sometimes with deep canine puncture wounds.

Ideally, it should be packed in and covered, and rinsed out and replaced everyday. But any application, under any circumstances, is a lot better than nothing. Granulated (or powdered) sugar and lots of povidone iodine are very valuable additions to prepper medical stores, in my opinion.

Here are a few medical journal articles on the topic:  

And here’s a very practical video on using sugardine, from a veterinarian.

Stay Prepared! – Steve N.



Letter Re: Free Food: How I Found it and What I’ve Done With it

Jim,
The writer of the “Free Food” article wrote that she had not found a good way to preserve avocados and in the next paragraph wrote that she had not had success dehydrating citrus fruit. If that citrus fruit is lemon or lime, it is part of the answer as to what to do with those avocados!

I ordered a box of avocados prior to having a large gathering of friends and family for a long weekend. A personal tragedy prompted several of my guacamole eating guests to depart days early, so I had to think fast as to what to do with a dozen large ripe avocados and even more limes. I decided to mash the avocados and juice the limes, mix them together, put into my vacuum sealer bags, vacuum seal and freeze in serving sizes that will be eaten in a day. It has been a breeze to thaw it, add my spices and peppers and eat as guacamole as well as just thawing it and eating it as a side with Mexican food, salads, eggs, etc. The color is a beautiful bright green, probably because it’s frozen with the juice and vacuum sealed.

Thanks for letting me add a little something to the contributor’s letter. – Sidetrack Susie



Recipe of the Week:

Martha in South Bend’s Rabbit/Chicken/Etc. Casserole

Here’s a very simple recipe that uses what ever meat you have at hand. 
 
Stuffing Casserole:
3 Cups chopped cooked meat (any kind will do, great way to use up leftovers)
2 – cans Campbells’ Golden Mushroom soup
2 – cups sour cream
2  – boxes stove top stuffing mix, prepared per package directions.
9″ x 13″ baking pan.

Mix the first three ingredients in baking pan.

Top with prepared stuffing. 

Cover with foil.

Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

Uncover and continue baking until it bubbles around the edges and stuffing is browned.

Chef’s Notes:

The first time I had it I loved it and asked the person who made it, “it’s chicken, right?”.  “No,” she said, “it’s rabbit”! (I’d had never eaten rabbit before.)

Useful Recipe and Cooking Links:

Main Dish Casserole Recipes

Unusual Corn Casserole

Do you have a favorite recipe that would be of interest to SurvivalBlog readers? Please send it via e-mail. Thanks!



Economics and Investing:

Taxing Coin Sales: A Bureaucratic Nightmare In The Making?

Bread, butter, and food stamp economy: Is the US developing a permanent under-class of citizens economically?

Richard Russell: Silver, Gold & A Coming Stock Market Crash

Over at Silver Doctors: COMEX confirms that its gold and silver inventory reports are fraudulent.

Items from The Economatrix:

Real Unemployment Rate:  11.3%?  Nope.  29%.

Economist:  Labor Market Just Not That “Healthy”

May Jobs Report; Government Data Grab



Odds ‘n Sods:

G.G. forwarded this: Everything you could want for a nuclear fallout from Kleenex to unappetizing cans of ‘multi-purpose food’: California couple discover perfectly preserved 1961 fallout shelter 15 feet below their backyard. [JWR Asks: Now will they have the wisdom to fully stock it with fresh supplies?]

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A very useful tutorial: How To Wash Laundry Post-Disaster.

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Reader W.J. suggested the latest in digital privacy: Peer-to-Peer Bitmessage Software. (Given all the recent revelations, this might be the only encrypted e-mail system that is halfway trustworthy!

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Long distance looters: Police say men came from Virginia to loot in tornado-ravaged Moore

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I just read a review copy of the new e-book God, Guns, and Guts of Firearm Defense (36 Ready Preparedness Guides) by firearms instructor Sig Swanstrom. This is one of the few books that I’ve read on self-defense that is written from a fully-referenced Christian perspective. I highly recommend it.

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Walt mentioned this: Professional Wound Repair Kit. (Note: Because this kit includes lidocaine, a medical information form must be completed and approved by their doctor. Ditto for their antibiotics.)

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Nine Rules for Starting Your Own Farm