The BRICS Alliance is All About Gold

Today, in place of my usual Monday column on economics and investing, I’d like to briefly delve into some of the implications of the recently announced expansion of the BRICS trading alliance.

The acronym “BRIC” was first coined in 2001 by Terence James O’Neill — then of Goldman Sachs — in describing the fast-growing economies that would dominate the global economy by 2050: Brazil, Russia, India, and China.  Over time, South Africa was added to the acronym, making it BRICS. Oddly, O’Neill’s term of art eventually morphed into an actual multi-national organization.  In recent years, primarily under mainland Chinese leadership, the BRICS group has worked on developing trade agreements and credit-clearing circles.

I believe that many western economic and political analysts are missing the “Big Picture” of BRICS and the planned BRICS+ expansion. The mass media is presently abuzz about the combined oil production and population figures of the BRICS bloc. Yes, it is more than half of the world’s population. And yes, they collectively produce a quite substantial amount of oil. But what they are missing is that the BRICS alliance is all about gold.  In my estimation, it might as well be called The Gold Bricks Alliance. To wit:Continue reading“The BRICS Alliance is All About Gold”

Preparedness Notes for Sunday — August 27, 2023

On August 27, 2011, after causing extensive damage to various Caribbean islands, Hurricane Irene made landfall in the United States, striking North Carolina’s Outer Banks before moving along the Eastern Seaboard; property damage in the United States exceeded $7 billion, making Irene one of the most expensive Atlantic hurricanes in the country’s history.

August 27th was the birthday of Emory Upton (August 27, 1839 – March 15, 1881). He was a United States Army General and military strategist, prominent for his role in leading infantry to attack entrenched positions successfully at the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House during the American Civil War, but he also excelled at artillery and cavalry assignments. His work, The Military Policy of the United States, which analyzed American military policies and practices and presented the first systematic examination of the nation’s military history, had a tremendous effect on the organization and modernization of the U.S. Army when it was published posthumously in 1904. He has rightly been called “The father of the modern U.S. Army.”

And August 27, 1917 was the birthday of American gun designer Robert Hillberg, best known as the designer of the C.O.P. four-barrel derringer, Winchester’s Liberator shotguns, the graceful Whitney Wolverine, and the Wildey .44 Magnum gas-operated pistol. He died in 2012.

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Today’s reader-written feature article is too short to qualify for the judging for the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. We are now seeking entries for Round 108. More than $840,000 worth of prizes have been awarded since we started running this contest. We recently polled blog readers, asking for suggested article topics. Refer to that poll if you haven’t yet chosen an article topic. Round 108 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.

Long Term Storage of Household Batteries, by OhioGalt

Several years ago, I began purchasing Lithium Batteries in AA and AAA sizes for long-term storage in case of some event where batteries were not readily available. I was also using them in several trail cams around the property because they would last roughly 10-to-12 months before replacement. I recently went to buy another couple of 48-packs and found the price had significantly increased. The cellular cameras I use offer a rechargeable lithium pack and comparing to lithium AA I found I could pay for the rechargeable pack in less then two sets of AA lithium batteries. Unfortunately, you cannot safely charge AA or AAA lithium batteries as they are designed as single-use items.

Since I also kept a supply of Lithium batteries on hand for household uses (radios, flashlights, range finders) I began looking at other options for batteries. Several years ago my wife had bought me a set of Eneloop batteries and charger in a case.

They are Ni-MH ‘Low Self Discharge’ and claim to be good for up to 2100 recharges. They provide a nice storage case , charger, several AA and AAA batteries with adapters for C and D size that hold a AA battery inside. They have been great and we use them at the cabin but I wanted to replenish my Lithium supply and found them the Eneloop batteries a little pricey as well. The other issue I had with the Eneloop charger is it was only 120 volt powered and I wanted something I could also charge on 12 volt DC system if need be.

Researching other Ni-MH (Nickel-Metal Hydride) batteries and charges I found another well-rated battery by “Geilenergy” AA, 600 mAh, 1.2 volt. To be fair, the Eneloop claims to hold up to 2000 mAh and I did not do any battery tests to compare the two brands. There is probably some truth in you get what you pay for here but I was not looking for high-performance batteries for my flashlights and AM FM radios. Possibly at a later date I will run a capacity test on the Eneloop and Geilenergy and compare values. I also noted that my charger is only rated for 1000 mAh so I will have to include the chargers in the test as well.

My Ni-MH charger has the option of running on standard 120 (100-240) volt household power or 12 volt DC for charging. I’ve had this charger a few years and a quick search I could no longer find a reseller for the unit. A search on Amazon did reveal several manufacturers of chargers with dual AC and DC voltage inputs.

I store my charged batteries in a small plastic container and label the lid the last recharge date, usually about once a year.

Important Safety Note: I do not store 9-volt batteries loose in the container unless they have a band of electric tape over the terminals to prevent them from shorting and potentially starting a fire.

There are some fancy battery organizers available with included testers for those who desire more organization. Hopefully, this brief article will give others some thoughts and ideas on keeping extra batteries on hand for safekeeping at minimal cost.

JWR’s Meme Of The Week: 

The latest meme created by JWR:

Meme Text:

That Face You Make When…

Your Arrest Was 99% Political

News Links:

Notes From JWR: Do you have a meme idea? Just e-mail me the concept, and I’ll try to assemble it. And if it is posted then I’ll give you credit. Thanks!

Permission to repost memes that I’ve created is granted, provide that credit to SurvivalBlog.com is included.

The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building;

Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.

For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh:

How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.

For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.

For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth.

Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicated without blood.

For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people,

Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you.

Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry.

And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.

It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.

For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:

Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others;

For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.

And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.” – Hebrews 9:11-28 (KJV)

Preparedness Notes for Saturday — August 26, 2023

August 26, 1946 was the official release date of George Orwell’s “Animal Farm.”

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Today we present the fifth and last installment of SurvivalBlog Field Gear Editor Emeritus Pat Cascio’s autobiography.

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We are in great need of entries for Round 108 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. More than $840,000 worth of prizes have been awarded since we started running this contest. We recently polled blog readers, asking for suggested article topics. Refer to that poll if you haven’t yet chosen an article topic. Round 108 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.

Making It Count – Part 5, by Pat Cascio

(Continued from Part 4. This concludes the article.)

My first meeting with Colonel Applegate

As I’ve mentioned before in SurvivalBlog, from 1990 to 1993 I worked for the late Colonel Rex Applegate as his assistant, on numerous projects. I also maintained his gun collection. He had more than 850 guns – many were prototypes and one-of-a-kind. It was a great honor working for the good Colonel. He taught me a lot about a lot of things, especially when he served in WWII for the military. He told me a lot of things that he said that he’d never mentioned to anyone else. He also taught me a lot about point shooting and knife fighting.

(l. to r.) John Taffin, Rex Applegate, and Pat Cascio

 

It was Applegate who introduced me to my favorite gun writer, Chuck Karwan. Chuck used to help Applegate with some projects. Chuck and I became close friends. Chuck helped me with my magazine articles and I helped him with several of his books and magazine articles. Whenever Chuck had a question about combat shooting he would call me, and when I needed help with military weapons, then I’d call him.  Applegate and I also worked with gun writer John Taffin.Continue reading“Making It Count – Part 5, by Pat Cascio”

Editors’ Prepping Progress

To be prepared for a crisis, every Prepper must establish goals and make both long-term and short-term plans. In this column, the SurvivalBlog editors review their week’s prep activities and planned prep activities for the coming week. These range from healthcare and gear purchases to gardening, ranch improvements, bug-out bag fine-tuning, and food storage. This is something akin to our Retreat Owner Profiles, but written incrementally and in detail, throughout the year.  We always welcome you to share your own successes and wisdom in your e-mailed letters. We post many of those –or excerpts thereof — in the Odds ‘n Sods Column or in the Snippets column. Let’s keep busy and be ready!

Jim Reports:

I spent one full day traveling, early in the week.  Consulting work is never boring, but it can be hectic.

I’ve just about finished my firewood cutting for the year.

I finally got back to working on my novel manuscripts for the second two novels in the Counter-Caliphate Chronicles (“Land Of Promise“) series. I had intentionally put those manuscripts on hold for several years, to see what would become of the Islamic State (IS). I also want to see the end result of the coronavirus pandemic. Not surprisingly, it was more government and absurdly higher levels of public debt. So I’ve made just a few adjustments to the storylines.  Sorry, but I haven’t yet set release dates for either of those books.

Now, Lily’s report…Continue reading“Editors’ Prepping Progress”

The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“And after this it came to pass that David smote the Philistines, and subdued them: and David took Methegammah out of the hand of the Philistines.

And he smote Moab, and measured them with a line, casting them down to the ground; even with two lines measured he to put to death, and with one full line to keep alive. And so the Moabites became David’s servants, and brought gifts.

David smote also Hadadezer, the son of Rehob, king of Zobah, as he went to recover his border at the river Euphrates.

And David took from him a thousand chariots, and seven hundred horsemen, and twenty thousand footmen: and David houghed all the chariot horses, but reserved of them for an hundred chariots.

And when the Syrians of Damascus came to succour Hadadezer king of Zobah, David slew of the Syrians two and twenty thousand men.

Then David put garrisons in Syria of Damascus: and the Syrians became servants to David, and brought gifts. And the Lord preserved David whithersoever he went.

And David took the shields of gold that were on the servants of Hadadezer, and brought them to Jerusalem.

And from Betah, and from Berothai, cities of Hadadezer, king David took exceeding much brass.

When Toi king of Hamath heard that David had smitten all the host of Hadadezer,

Then Toi sent Joram his son unto king David, to salute him, and to bless him, because he had fought against Hadadezer, and smitten him: for Hadadezer had wars with Toi. And Joram brought with him vessels of silver, and vessels of gold, and vessels of brass:

Which also king David did dedicate unto the Lord, with the silver and gold that he had dedicated of all nations which he subdued;

Of Syria, and of Moab, and of the children of Ammon, and of the Philistines, and of Amalek, and of the spoil of Hadadezer, son of Rehob, king of Zobah.

And David gat him a name when he returned from smiting of the Syrians in the valley of salt, being eighteen thousand men.

And he put garrisons in Edom; throughout all Edom put he garrisons, and all they of Edom became David’s servants. And the Lord preserved David whithersoever he went.

And David reigned over all Israel; and David executed judgment and justice unto all his people.” – 2 Samuel 8:1-15 (KJV)

Preparedness Notes for Friday — August 25, 2023

August 25th is a birthday shared by novelist Frederick Forsyth (born 1938 – pictured), humorist Bret Harte (born 1836), and the late American humorist Patrick F. McManus (born 1933).

Forsyth was the author of The Day of the Jackal, The Odessa File, The Fourth Protocol, The Dogs of War, The Devil’s Alternative, and many others.

Pat McManus was born and raised in Sandpoint, Idaho, so his books could be classified as American Redoubt humor.

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I just heard that Ready Made Resources is running a sale on U.S.-made Photonis Echo AN/PVS-14 monoculars (Normally $3,350) for $2,999 each.  These are the nice ones: Autogated, 4G White Phosphor Photonis tubes to Echo specification, with individual data sheets!  They can be used hand-held, weapon-mounted, or helmet-mounted.

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We are in need of entries for Round 108 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. More than $840,000 worth of prizes have been awarded since we started running this contest. We recently polled blog readers, asking for suggested article topics. Refer to that poll if you haven’t yet chosen an article topic. Round 108 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.

 

Making It Count – Part 4, by Pat Cascio

(Continued from Part 3.)

In 1989, I took a job as the police chief in a small town in Eastern Oregon. I had also completed my training with Executive Security International (ESI) at that time, the world’s best place if you wanted to do bodyguard work. I had completed their 650-hour home study course and then needed to complete two weeks at their school. There, I met John Farnam, who taught the firearms training portion, and to this day, I honestly believe that Farnam is probably the best firearms trainer there is. At the end of my training, I was offered a position as a personal bodyguard to “Elizabeth Taylor’s best friend”. They wouldn’t tell me who it was – but I knew that Taylor’s best friend at that time was Michael Jackson. There is no way that I would have worked for him. Still, that training was the best in the world and I’m certified as a Protection Specialist in Colorado.Continue reading“Making It Count – Part 4, by Pat Cascio”

Economics & Investing For Preppers

Here are the latest news items and commentary on current economics news, market trends, stocks, investing opportunities, and the precious metals markets. In this column, JWR also covers hedges, derivatives, and various obscura. This column emphasizes JWR’s “tangibles heavy” investing strategy and contrarian perspective. Today, we look at some market moves triggered by the Jackson Hole, Wyoming conference.

Precious Metals:

Ex-JPMorgan Gold Traders Get Prison for ‘Prolific Spoofing’.

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Efforts To Protect US Intensify Amid Global Shift From Dollar.

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Kelsey Williams: Gold And The Shrinking Money Supply.

Economy & Finance:

France24: BRICS summit of emerging economies gets under way without Putin.

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David Haggith: It’s Happening: Bond Yields Soaring, Banks Sliding, BRICS Busting. Haggith’s article includes these cogent points:

“As the Fed continues quantitative tightening, the amount of money held in bank reserves automatically lowers because the Fed is no longer refinancing US debt. Therefore, the government has to find other buyers. The money those buyers commit to government bond purchases gets transferred from the barks’ reserve accounts directly to the government’s Fed bank account to buy the bonds. Banks have to either sell bonds or use cash they hold in reserves to make those transfers.

At the same time, the government has to attract a lot more buyers to replace the Fed who is out of the Treasury scene for a good while to come. That typically means paying higher interest rates to expand the buyer pool unless a flood of buyers comes along for other reasons (such as flight of capital all of a sudden from other nations). Those rising rates further devalue the existing bonds banks hold in their reserve accounts at the Fed.”

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Linked over at the Whatfinger.com news aggregation site: The Drunken Sailor Economy/ America gets a downgrade courtesy of President Biden.

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At Zero Hedge: Solid 20Y Auction Prices At Highest Yield On Record.

Continue reading“Economics & Investing For Preppers”

Preparedness Notes for Thursday — August 24, 2023

On August 24, 79, Mount Vesuvius in Italy erupted, destroying the ancient cities of Pompeii (pictured) and Herculaneum. The excavations of these sites in the mid-18th century precipitated the modern science of archaeology.

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On August 24th, 410, Rome was overrun by the Visigoths in an event that symbolized the fall of the Western Roman Empire. This is a moment in history that we would do well to remember. An empire that ruled the known world was corrupted from the inside to the point that they could not defend themselves from a much weaker enemy.

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My #1 Son, Jonathan Rawles, who operates SurvivalRealty.com, has just produced a free mini e-book.  Here is how he describes it:

“As I’ve talked with hundreds of people contemplating a move out of the big city, a few topics have come up repeatedly. To help answer some of these recurring questions, we’ve released a short e-book as a free pdf download.

The five key factors considered are:

    • Survivability–how do you choose a location that will be least affected by disaster or societal collapse?
    • Sustainability–how do you select an area robust enough to survive economic catastrophe and infrastructure failures?
    • Politics and culture–what about the impacts of government and local culture?
    • Long-term outlook–where are things headed in your region, and how will that affect your plans?
    • Personal factors–what about external ties and family or career needs?

You can download the PDF free of charge, here.”