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 of interest to preppers and survivalists that are located in the American Redoubt region. Today, some news about a Mountain Lion that was seen wandering the streets of Pocatello. See the Idaho section.)

Idaho

Mountain lion spotted in Pocatello.

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Moscow Police seeking information on white Hyundai Elantra seen near quadruple homicide crime scene.

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Idaho murders: Police receive ‘amazing’ number of tips related to mystery car spotted near crime scene.

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A recent update from Moscow Police Captain Lanier: Idaho murders: Quadruple homicide investigation update for Monday, Dec. 12th.

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New trial date set for Daybells, defendants appear in courtroom together for first time.

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The American Redoubt movement has been bad-mouthed, yet again.  Retired Idaho Supreme Court Justice Jim Jones recently posted this: Idaho must once again send the hate mongers packing. While I applaud his service to our country in Vietnam, I was miffed by an unfounded statement that he included in his column. So I sent him the following comment:

Your recent column included this:

“Recent years have witnessed the growth of white nationalist sentiment in northern Idaho, due in significant part to the promotion of this beautiful area as part of the American Redoubt, a refuge for the so-called “white race.””

That is a libelous slur. The American Redoubt movement is distinctly anti-racist. If you had taken just a few minutes to do some research instead of just shooting from the lip, you would have quickly learned that the American Redoubt political migration movement is directed toward encouraging conservatives of all races to relocate to the region.

I originated the movement. I suggest that you read this:

Lest Any Man Should Boast: A Christian Survivalist Perspective on Race, Religion, and Reason.

I must insist that you retract your unfounded statement.

Sincerely,

James Wesley, Rawles

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

The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“Our duty to the whole, including the unborn generations, bids us to restrain an unprincipled present-day minority from wasting the heritage of these unborn generations. The movement for the conservation of wildlife and the larger movement for the conservation of all our natural resources are essentially democratic in spirit, purpose, and method.” – Theodore Roosevelt

Preparedness Notes for Monday — December 12, 2022

On December 12, 2019, the British General Election was won by Boris Johnson‘s Conservative Party in a landslide win with 80-seat majority. Scottish National Party also won 48 of 59 seats in Scotland.

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Today’s feature article was penned by SurvvalBlog Field Gear Editor Tom Christianson.

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We are in need of entries for Round 104 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. More than $775,000 worth of prizes have been awarded since we started running this contest. Round 104 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.

 

Crosman P1377 Air Pistol, by Thomas Christianson

In April of 2022, due to continued high ammo prices, I decided to try out the Crosman P1377 Air Pistol as a training tool. It has a manufacturer-suggested retail price of $72.30. The one I purchased online cost just $49.99, with free shipping.

Pleasant Memories

I have fond memories of the Crosman 760 air rifle that introduced me to shooting. I shot more BBs and pellets through that rifle than I can count. I enjoyed target shooting in the basement of my parent’s home with just two pumps, or hunting birds, squirrels, and even possum in the woods and fields — with 10 pumps.

The Crosman 760 taught me a lot about shot placement. For example, shooting a possum in the body with a BB gun only irritated it. It usually didn’t even break the skin. But a hit in the eye socket would penetrate the brain and kill the possum. This is important to remember if you ever find yourself with a BB gun pointed at your face.Continue reading“Crosman P1377 Air Pistol, by Thomas Christianson”

Recipe of the Week: Asian Chicken Fried Rice

The following Asian Chicken Fried Rice recipe is from reader Helen O.  She notes that it is an ideal way to use some of your long-term storage foods.

Ingredients
  • 2 cups cooked white rice, cooled
  • ½ cup finely diced onions (you may substitute rehydrated dried onion)
  • ¼ cup rehydrated freeze-dried or air-dried green peas
  • 1 cup rehydrated shredded carrots (or fresh)
  • ¼ cup oil or shortening
  • 1 Tbsp. peanut butter
  • ½ cup chopped cooked chicken. (Canned chicken will suffice)
  • 2 Tbsp. soy sauce
  • 2 eggs, or equivalent in dehydrated egg powder
  • Spices to suit your taste, including garlic, tumeric, dried hot pepper.
Directions
  1. In a large, heavy frying pan, heat oil.
  2. Add rice, onions, chicken, and carrots.
  3. Stir frequently with spatula until rice begins to lightly brown.
  4. Add peanut butter, soy sauce, peas, and spices.
  5. Continue stirring to blend in the flavors.
  6. As soon as the rice mixture appears to be done, quickly add beaten egg mixture.
  7. Continue stirring with a spatula until the egg is cooked.
SERVING

Serve while still hot with soy sauce, sweet and sour sauce, or hot mustard sauce.

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Do you have a favorite 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 and slow cooker recipes, and any that use home garden produce. If you have any favorite recipes, then please send them via e-mail. Thanks!

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. We also cover hedges, derivatives, and obscura. Most of these items are from the “tangibles heavy” contrarian perspective of SurvivalBlog’s Founder and Senior Editor, JWR. Today, we focus on full-capacity magazines as a tangible investment. (See the Tangibles Investing section.)

Precious Metals:

Gold/Silver: Are you positioned for another Silver squeeze?

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India ATM Now Dispenses Gold Coins.

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Kelsey: Demand For Gold – No New Highs.

Economy & Finance:

Brace for a recession in 2023 as job losses top 2 million, Citi says.

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Amazon Layoffs Just Got Way Worse – Fresh Batch of Workers Getting Bezos’ Nasty Christmas Present: Report.  JWR’s Comments:  This is the largest layoff in the history of the company. Read between the lines, folks.  Obviously, a recession is coming soon.

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Yellen Directs IRS to Audit Everyone for $600 Transactions Anyway.

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At American Thinker: How Debt Policies Are Provoking an Unavoidable Crash.

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The Supply Chain Trends Shaking Up 2023.

Continue reading“Economics & Investing For Preppers”

Preparedness Notes for Sunday — December 11, 2022

On December 11, 1994, Russian troops invaded Chechnya to suppress the rebel Chechen government led by Dzhokhar Dudayev. This began what is commonly called the First Chechen War.

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I just got word of the passing of Colonel Joe Kittinger.  What an amazing man! He will be missed.  My condolences to his family.

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We are seeking entries for Round 104 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. More than $775,000 worth of prizes have been awarded since we started running this contest. Round 104 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.

 

Major Economic Contraction Coming In 2023 – Followed By Even More Inflation, by Brandon Smith

Editor’s Introductory Note:  This article was first published by the Birch Gold Group and is reposted with permission.

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The signs are already present and obvious, but the overall economic picture probably won’t be acknowledged in the mainstream until the situation becomes much worse (as if it’s not bad enough). It’s a problem that arises at the onset of every historic financial crisis – Mainstream economists and commentators lie to the public about the chances of recovery, constantly giving false reassurances and lulling people back to sleep. Even now with price inflation pummeling the average consumer they tell us that there is nothing to worry about. The Federal Reserve’s “soft landing” is on the way.

I remember in 2007 right before the epic derivatives collapse when media pundits were applauding the US housing market and predicting even greater highs in sales and in valuations. I had only been writing economic analysis for about a year, but I remember thinking that the overt display of optimism felt like compensation for something. It seemed as if they were trying to pull the wool over the eyes of the public in the hopes that if people just believed hard enough that all was well then the fantasy could be manifested into reality. Unfortunately, that’s not how economics works.

Supply and demand, debt and deficit, money velocity and inflation; these things cannot be ignored. If the system is out of balance, collapse will set its ugly foot down somewhere and there’s nothing anyone including central banks can do about it. In fact, there are times when they deliberately ENGINEER collapse.

This is the situation we are currently in today as 2022 comes to a close. The Fed is in the midst of a rather aggressive rate hike program in a “fight” against the stagflationary crisis that they created through years of fiat stimulus measures. The problem is that the higher interest rates are not bringing prices down, nor are they really slowing stock market speculation. Easy money has been too entrenched for far too long, which means a hard landing is the most likely scenario.Continue reading“Major Economic Contraction Coming In 2023 – Followed By Even More Inflation, by Brandon Smith”

JWR’s Meme Of The Week:

The latest meme created by JWR:

Meme Text:

Biden’s Brilliant Diplomatic Deal: Trading a Low-Level Drug Criminal for a Global Terror Logistician Who Enabled the Deaths of Thousands

News Links:

Lawmakers rip Biden leaving Paul Whelan behind in Brittney Griner prisoner swap: ‘It’s shameful’.

Viktor Bout: Russian arms dealer known as the ‘Merchant of Death’ swapped for Brittney Griner.

There Were 17 Americans in Russian Prisons. Only 1 Mattered to the Left.

A Matt Christiansen video essay: Griner or Whelan: Did Biden Have a Choice? | NBC’s Stealth Edit Strikes Again.

Video: Russian TV Mocks Biden for Choosing ‘Black Lesbian Hooked on Drugs’ Over Marine Paul Whelan in Swap.

Blog reader G.F. sent this comment:  “Biden needs to pick up a copy of The Art of the Deal.”

The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“Then came together unto him the Pharisees, and certain of the scribes, which came from Jerusalem.

And when they saw some of his disciples eat bread with defiled, that is to say, with unwashen, hands, they found fault.

For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands oft, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders.

And when they come from the market, except they wash, they eat not. And many other things there be, which they have received to hold, as the washing of cups, and pots, brasen vessels, and of tables.

Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands?

He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.

Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do.

And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.

For Moses said, Honour thy father and thy mother; and, Whoso curseth father or mother, let him die the death:

But ye say, If a man shall say to his father or mother, It is Corban, that is to say, a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; he shall be free.

And ye suffer him no more to do ought for his father or his mother;

Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.

And when he had called all the people unto him, he said unto them, Hearken unto me every one of you, and understand:

There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man.

If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.

And when he was entered into the house from the people, his disciples asked him concerning the parable.

And he saith unto them, Are ye so without understanding also? Do ye not perceive, that whatsoever thing from without entereth into the man, it cannot defile him;

Because it entereth not into his heart, but into the belly, and goeth out into the draught, purging all meats?

And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man.

For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,

Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness:

All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.” – Mark 7:1-23 (KJV)

Preparedness Notes for Saturday — December 10, 2022

On December 10, 1520, Martin Luther publicly burned the papal edict that had demanded that he recant or face ex-communication.

And on this day in 1942, my great uncle Lt. Robert I. Kinsella was killed when his B-24 bomber (part of the 90th Bombardment Group, Heavy, 320th Bomber Squadron), flying from the Iron Range Airfield in Northern Queensland, Australia went down in the South Pacific. There were no survivors.

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Today’s feature article was penned by SurvvalBlog Field Gear Editor Tom Christianson.

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We are in great need of entrries for Round 104 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. More than $775,000 worth of prizes have been awarded since we started running this contest. Round 104 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.

 

Mass Casualty Trauma Kit, by Thomas Christianson

Recently, the Safety and Security Team of my church had the opportunity to evaluate the Mass Casualty Trauma Kit assembled by Mountain Man Medical, of Colorado. Overall, the Team found the kit to be a quality item. The kit was smaller than the team initially expected based upon the “mass casualty” label. Further research revealed that the kit is designed to be used in tandem with a number of other kits, based upon the peak occupancy of the facility being supplied.

With excellent components and a price of $219.99 the Mass Casualty Trauma Kit offers good value for the money.

The Backstory

Our church started a Safety and Security Team about nine years ago. Our insurance company pointed out that violent attacks on churches were increasing in frequency, and suggested that we might like to take some steps to mitigate that risk.

Statistically speaking, our Safety and Security Team is much more likely to be called upon for a medical emergency than for an episode of violence. This means it is expedient for the majority of the Team’s training to involve responding properly to medical emergencies.

Up to now, our church first aid kits have been well supplied with Band-Aids, and not much else. In a sense, that was appropriate, because the majority of the first aid situations that we have faced over the years involved Band-Aid-level incidents. But the Safety and Security Team wanted to be prepared and equipped to respond to a more serious emergency if one should arise.

As a result, the Team was excited when they got word recently that they might be able to test a Mass Casualty Trauma Kit from Mountain Man Medical. They eagerly accepted the offer, and shortly thereafter, a package was delivered via UPS Ground.Continue reading“Mass Casualty Trauma Kit, by Thomas Christianson”

Editors’ Prepping Progress

To be prepared for a crisis, every Prepper must establish goals and make 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 this column, in the Odds ‘n Sods Column, and in the Snippets column. Let’s keep busy and be ready!

Jim Reports:

I’ll start out this column with a bit of reminiscing. It was in December of 1990 — 32 years ago, this month — that I completed writing the online shareware novel The Gray Nineties. That grew into what was later re-titled Triple Ought, and then Patriots. When I wrote that manuscript, I was 30 years old. My eldest son was born in September of the following year. He is now an Engineer with a Bachelor of Science degree, a published author, and has a family of his own. It seems so odd… I’m pondering that my son is now older than I was when I wrote my first novel. He is the little boy that you see playing in the background of the photo above. And that’s me in the foreground, at my first ranch, near Orofino. That was before the onset of gray hair and slight pudginess. Now, at age 62, I’m still splitting wood and writing books. But I’m wondering who that old guy is, in the mirror.

I’m still piecemealing my way through the workshop remodeling project. My progress has slowed recently because I’ve had other projects come up. Mostly snowplowing. Lots of snowplowing. We’ve also started obstacle course training our year-old pup. My wife Avalanche Lily will fill you in on that… Continue reading“Editors’ Prepping Progress”

The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“Send ye the lamb to the ruler of the land from Sela to the wilderness, unto the mount of the daughter of Zion.

For it shall be, that, as a wandering bird cast out of the nest, so the daughters of Moab shall be at the fords of Arnon.

Take counsel, execute judgment; make thy shadow as the night in the midst of the noonday; hide the outcasts; bewray not him that wandereth.

Let mine outcasts dwell with thee, Moab; be thou a covert to them from the face of the spoiler: for the extortioner is at an end, the spoiler ceaseth, the oppressors are consumed out of the land.

And in mercy shall the throne be established: and he shall sit upon it in truth in the tabernacle of David, judging, and seeking judgment, and hasting righteousness.

We have heard of the pride of Moab; he is very proud: even of his haughtiness, and his pride, and his wrath: but his lies shall not be so.

Therefore shall Moab howl for Moab, every one shall howl: for the foundations of Kirhareseth shall ye mourn; surely they are stricken.

For the fields of Heshbon languish, and the vine of Sibmah: the lords of the heathen have broken down the principal plants thereof, they are come even unto Jazer, they wandered through the wilderness: her branches are stretched out, they are gone over the sea.

Therefore I will bewail with the weeping of Jazer the vine of Sibmah: I will water thee with my tears, O Heshbon, and Elealeh: for the shouting for thy summer fruits and for thy harvest is fallen.

And gladness is taken away, and joy out of the plentiful field; and in the vineyards there shall be no singing, neither shall there be shouting: the treaders shall tread out no wine in their presses; I have made their vintage shouting to cease.” – Isaiah 16:1-10 (KJV)