Preparedness Notes for Tuesday — April 26, 2022

On April 26, 1986, one of the world’s worst nuclear accidents occurred at the Chernobyl plant in the Ukrainian portion of the USSR. An explosion and fire in the No. 4 reactor sent radioactivity into the atmosphere; at least 31 Soviets died immediately. JWR’s Comments: I was unfortunately a Chernobyl down-winder. You see, I was TDY with the 2nd M.I. Battalion at Stuttgart Army Airfield that spring, working live Guardrail intel missions. After the Soviet reactor went kablooey, we were all lied to by both the West German government and the U.S. Army. They later revealed that they had downplayed the radiation risk, “to avoid panic.” So, at the time when the winds were unfavorable and I should have been safely tucked in a bunker, I was instead out riding my bicycle in the fallout. (I commuted by bike a couple of miles from a gasthaus in Echterdingen to Stuttgart Army Airfield.) The only fallout warning that they gave us was to avoid fresh dairy products. Lesson learned: Never trust any national government to have your best interest as their priority.

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SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

Today we present another entry for Round 100 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 course certificate from onPoint Tactical for the prize winner’s choice of three-day civilian courses, excluding those restricted for military or government teams. Three-day onPoint courses normally cost $795,
  4. Two cases of Mountain House freeze-dried assorted entrees in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources (a $350 value),
  5. A $250 gift certificate good for any product from Sunflower Ammo,
  6. American Gunsmithing Institute (AGI) is providing a $300 certificate good towards any of their DVD training courses.
  7. Two sets of The Civil Defense Manual, (in two volumes) — a $193 value — kindly donated by the author, Jack Lawson.

Second Prize:

  1. A Front Sight Lifetime Diamond Membership, providing lifetime free training at any Front Sight Nevada course, with no limit on repeating classes. This prize is courtesy of a SurvivalBlog reader who prefers to be anonymous.
  2. A SIRT STIC AR-15/M4 Laser Training Package, courtesy of Next Level Training, that has a combined retail value of $679
  3. 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).
  4. Two Super Survival Pack seed collections, a $150 value, courtesy of Seed for Security, LLC,
  5. 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 firearms purchasing privacy!

Third Prize:

  1. 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)
  2. A Royal Berkey water filter, courtesy of Directive 21 (a $275 value),
  3. A LogOX 3-in-1 Forestry MultiTool (a $189 value) and a WoodOx Sling (a $79.95 value), courtesy of LogOx, both made in USA.
  4. A transferable $100 FRN purchase credit from Elk Creek Company, toward the purchase of any pre-1899 antique gun.

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More than $725,000 worth of prizes have been awarded since we started running this contest. Round 100 ends on May 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

 

Bugging Out Between Civilizations – Part 1, by N.C.

I was talking with an old friend and the subject of the ongoing war in Ukraine came up. He asserted that he would have acted to leave Ukraine sooner, if he had been there. Frankly, I don’t think he would have, and I told him that. I based that on the fact that during the recent Antifa rioting, he point-blank denied that there were riots within an hour of him. When he could no longer deny that riots were occurring, he opined that it was “basically a different world” and again, made no preparation. If he could deny all that, then why would he have accepted the difference, in Ukraine? He didn’t have a real answer other than “Well, it would be different.”

I think a lot of people in the United States don’t understand what that choice entailed, for the people caught in between. The brutal reality that Ukrainian refugees face is far more than Americans are used to thinking about, namely:

  • Foreign language in bordering countries
  • International travel (with attendant costs, luggage logistics, and papers)
  • Hostile attitude towards you (eastern Europeans)
  • Knowing that refugees are easy pickings and actively targeted
  • Corruption even in neighboring cities in your own country
  • Information hellscape: Your wife alone or, your wife with your kid(s) trying to make sense of it all.
  • Recognizing that you only have limited money and that bugging out will deplete your savings. You may run out of cash in a foreign country.

That’s a heck of a choice. It would be much easier if you had family living across the border. But that’s not everybody.Continue reading“Bugging Out Between Civilizations – Part 1, by N.C.”

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, the emphasis is on the influx of newcomers to The American Redoubt and the resulting trends in the real estate market.

Region-Wide

Rural Leftists Complain About Influx of Conservatives Fleeing Blue States.

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“I have mixed feelings” | Post Falls adjusts to population boom.

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Heat Map: The Hottest Real Estate Markets in 2022.

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Book Review: Survival and Resistance in Evangelical America: Christian Reconstruction in the Pacific Northwest by Crawford Gribben.

Idaho

Patrice Lewis: ‘The Great Relocation’: Political refugees vs. ‘leftugees’. JWR’s Comments: Patrice and her husband recently moved from their old ranch in North Idaho (in the Coeur d’Alene region) to a bit more sparsely-populated part of the state.

Thankfully, the majority of folks moving to Idaho are conservatives, and they tend to have much larger families than liberals. The end result? We win, both demographically and politically. The liberals are fond of saying:  “Demographics are destiny.”  That is true, but here in The American Redoubt, they are at the wrong end of that integral calculus. With The American Redoubt movement, we are talking about combining infinitesimals to the point of an unstoppable landslide. Yea, yea, the leftists are losing, in a big way.

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Idaho Republicans battle ‘Libertarians, Constitutionalists, John Birchers and Redoubters’: report.

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Construction industry No.1 in workforce growth.

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High demand, low inventory: How Kootenai County is addressing housing challenges.

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

The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“Before the formation of this Constitution, it had been affirmed as a self-evident truth, in the declaration of Independence, very deliberately made by the Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled that, “all men are created equal, and are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights.” This declaration of Independence was received and ratified by all the States in the Union and has never been disannulled. May we not from hence conclude, that the doctrine of Liberty and Equality is an article in the political creed of the United States.” – Samuel Adams

Preparedness Notes for Monday — April 25, 2022

Today is the birthday of physicist, inventor, and entrepreneur Guglielmo Marconi (1874–1937). He was known for his pioneering work on long-distance radio transmission as well as for the development of Marconi’s Law and a radio telegraph system. He is often considered the inventor of radio.

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Here is a news listing over ay our SurvivalRealty.com spin-off:
Private Retreat in Central Idaho

RARE FIND! Peaceful Paradise!  In Kooskia, Idaho!!!  This tidy 3br/2 bath home is tastefully decorated, open and bright. Large eat-in kitchen with lots of custom handcrafted cabinets. Newer appliances, Huge wood crafted deck for outdoor living. Attached garage/workshop. Also barn/woodshed.  Freezer room, also storage/root cellar. The property includes gardens and fruit orchard as well as big timber and a park-like forest. . Fast High speed internet. No CC&R’s! Idaho county freedom! No close neighbors.  Very private setting. It is artfully landscaped, and sits in a warm zone 6B for gardening, at only 1,900 ft. elevation, with SW exposure. Well-made, 500 sq ft wood-crafted deck that you can use all year, but especially in summer. Almost no mosquitos here. Owners have only noticed one tick on whole property in 8 years!  You will also appreciate the glass door Jotul wood stove for cozy winter evenings. Good water.

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Today we present another review written by our Field Gear Editor Emeritus, Pat Cascio.

Boxed Survival Pizza, by Pat Cascio

Hands down, pizza is my favorite food. It has been for as long as I can remember. I guess what I like about pizza is that it can be had with so many different toppings, and each maker of pizza has its own distinct taste – it never seems to get boring whenever I have pizza. I only have one caveat and that is: No anchovies!

We’ve been back on the west side of Oregon for 16 years now, after spending 15 years in the eastern part of Oregon – the high desert. I don’t know how we got stuck there for so long, but I wish we had never moved to that side of the state. I don’t like the high desert, and I sure didn’t enjoy the hot summers. I didn’t mind all the winter snow and cold – but I don’t tolerate that kind of heat!

I’m on my third doctor here in western Oregon. The first one, semi-retired and is working part-time with folks who have drug and alcohol additions – though we still stay in touch. My second doctor, was a fairly young guy, and I really liked he would listen to me – he never acted like a know-it-all – I liked that. He, however, is now the director of the drug and alcohol clinic, where my first doctor works. Now, my current doctor – he’s pretty sharp – and we have had some disagreements on my care and treatment – but he is a really good one – he supervises all the resident doctors at the local medical clinic that I go to.

As this is being written, I’m just a few days short of my 70th birthday, and I’m not about to seriously change my habits, especially my eating habits. My current doctor asked me recently about my “diet” and I told him “pizza, hot dogs, and cheeseburgers…” and he rolled his eye – told me I needed to change that diet and eat “smarter” whatever that means. Sorry, that is the three basic food groups in my life, and I’m not cutting any of them out of my diet at this stage of my life.

Those readers who have followed my articles over the past 30 years or so, will know that I was raised by my grandparents, from the time I was 6-weeks old – long story – sorta. My grandparents were poor and we didn’t have much, and to me, a Chef Boyardee boxed pizza mix, was “pizza” – I don’t think I knew there was a pizzeria within a few blocks of where we lived in Chicago – I believe I was probably no more than 10-years old, when my mother and step-father took me to that place for a takeout pizza – and let me tell you, it was delicious – and they are still in business, believe it or not.Continue reading“Boxed Survival Pizza, 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. 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 look at rising inflation in Germany. (See the Inflation Watch section.)

Precious Metals:

I took advantage of the dip in silver and gold last week to buy another 20 ounces of .999 silver 1-ounce rounds.  Buy on the dips. If you don’t then you’ll kick yourself, once the spot prices start to stairstep.

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Virginia Ends All Taxes On Purchases Of Silver, Gold, Platinum And Palladium.

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The ‘Friend- Shoring’ Of Gold- A New World Order?

Economy & Finance:

Global Economic Outlook Report 2022 – Digital Economy to Become Increasingly Pervasive Amidst Lingering Pandemic.

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The Worst Outlook For Stocks We Have Ever Seen.

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At Wolf Street: Now Alphabet Breaks, Microsoft too, Meta Already in Free-Fall: One by one, the Giant Stocks that Held Up the Market Let Go.

Continue reading“Economics & Investing For Preppers”

Preparedness Notes for Sunday — April 24, 2022

On this day in 1915, the Armenian Genocide began. Ottoman (Turk) Muslims eventually slaughtered 1.5 million of their Christian neighbors, intellectuals, and community leaders. Pictured are some of the 16 girls from the Turkish city of Malatya that were crucified alive with spikes through their feet and hands. The Ottoman government proceeded with multiple phases to round up men in mass executions and drive women and children into the desert on death marches. They also led the general Muslim citizens to participate in brutal periodic massacres within their communities signaled with the blow of a bugle. It is one of the first modern genocides and serves as a warning for us today. There are chilling accounts contained in Islam scholar Andrew Bostom’s book, The Legacy of Jihad: Islamic Holy War And the Fate of Non-Muslims.

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Today, a feature article written by SurvivalBlog’s founder, James Wesley, Rawles (“JWR”.)

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We are in great need of articles for Round 100 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest.This round ends on May 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

Update: In-Town Versus Isolated Retreats

This feature article is an update to a SurvivalBlog article that I wrote back in August of 2005:

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There are two distinct modes of fixed location survival retreats: ”In Town” and “Isolated.” The former depends on some local infrastructure while the latter is designed to be almost entirely self-sufficient and self-contained. Isolated retreats are also often termed “remote” retreats.

Not everyone is suited to tackling the tasks required for self-sufficiency at an isolated retreat. Advanced age — with the inevitable loss of muscle mass — physical handicaps, lack of trustworthy family or friends, or chronic health conditions could rule that out. If that is your situation, then you will probably want to establish an inconspicuous “in town” retreat rather than an isolated “stronghold” retreat. Generally, isolated retreats are more suitable for folks under age 60.

In-Town Retreats

If opting for “in town,” then buy a masonry house with a fireproof roof on an oversize lot. Make that wood frame construction if you live in earthquake country. Carefully select a town with a small population—somewhere between 1,000 and 3,000 if it has a true “end to end” gravity-fed water supply, or from 200 to 1,000 if the water system is in any way dependent on the power grid. (The 1,000 upper limit is for fear of sanitation problems.) In my opinion, towns and larger than 3,000 lack a cohesive sense of “our community”, and any town with a population smaller than 200 would lack a sufficient mix of skills and the manpower required to mount a sufficient defense in the event of a true “worst case.”

For more about the importance of having a sense of community, see my September 2008 article titled: Finding a Mineshaft or a Gemeinschaft.

I still believe that it is best to avoid larger towns. At some number over the 3,000 inhabitant threshold, the “we/they paradigm” will be lacking, and in a true TEOTWAWKI, it could be every man for himself.Continue reading“Update: In-Town Versus Isolated Retreats”

JWR’s Meme Of The Week:

The latest meme created by JWR:

 

To share this, you can find it here: https://www.kapwing.com/videos/6262b3b562bdff00a506463a

Meme Text:

Synaptically-Challenged Joe Biden Says…
I’ll Shake Hands With My Loyal Supporters,
Who… Who…
Oddly Seem to Have Disappeared!


Background: Terms to Avoid When Writing About Disability.

“Demented, senile: Avoid describing someone as being demented or senile. Use people-first language when describing someone with dementia, such as “a person with dementia.”

The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles.

He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets.

A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory.

And in his name shall the Gentiles trust.

Then was brought unto him one possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb: and he healed him, insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake and saw.

And all the people were amazed, and said, Is not this the son of David?

But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils.

And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand.” – Matthew 12:18-25 (KJV)

Preparedness Notes for Saturday — April 23, 2022

On April 23, 1968, decimal coins (divisible by 10) were introduced in England. The 5 Pence coin replaced the former 1 Shilling (which was 12 Old Pence.) And the new 10 Pence coin replaced the 2 Shillings Florin (which equated to 24 Old Pence). The old non-decimal coins were removed from circulation by 1971.

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Today, a feature article by SurvivalBlog’s Senior Editor, James Wesley, Rawles (“JWR”)

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We are seeking entries for Round 100 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. More than $725,000 worth of prizes have been awarded since we started running this contest. Round 100 ends on May 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.

More Guerilla Warfare Lessons From Ukraine: Drones

The Russian army’s invasion of Ukraine has now been in progress for two months. First hoping for a quick and decisive victory, they have been thwarted by the stolid resistance of Ukraine’s active army, bolstered by reserves, foreign volunteers, and lots of ad hoc resistance, by the citizenry. The conflict has all of the hallmarks of Fourth Generation Warfare (4GW). And some would argue that with a strong cyberwarfare component, it has elements of Fifth Generation Warfare (5GW).

A Drone War

While anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs) have deservedly attracted the media spotlight, it is the use of drones that might be the other decisive factor in repelling the Russian forces. Clearly, there is widespread use of drones (a.k.a. unmanned aerial vehicles — UAVs) in Ukraine, by both sides. Many of Ukraine’s drones were not built to military specifications, nor purchased through normal military contract channels. Rather, they are mostly small, consumer-grade drones acquired through commercial, off-the-shelf (COTS) buys, often from western European stores. These drones are often thought of as little more than high-tech toys. But their usefulness in spotting and targeting Russian troops and vehicles has been invaluable.

Big Drones, Small Drones

Ukraine’s largest, and most capable drones are Turkish-made TB-2 “Bayraktar” drones. These are considered medium-altitude, long-endurance drones. It has been reported that these drones may have played a role in the much-publicized sinking of the Russian cruiser Moskva. The TB-2s have been used to destroy dozens of Russian armored vehicles. But the vast majority of UAVs being used by Ukrainians are small, short-range, consumer-grade drones, typified by small DJI Mavic 3 quadcopters made in China. Previously used for filming weddings and television commercials, they are now being used to pinpoint hidden Russian vehicles. And some small UAVs have reportedly been modified to drop grenades.

There are now countless videos posted to YouTube, showing small drones pinpointing Russian soldiers, revealing camouflaged Russian vehicles, documenting Russian atrocities, and most importantly, for targeting artillery strikes.

Kamikaze Drones

It was reported that the U.S. government promised 100 Switchblade kamikaze drones to the Ukrainians, and they have been delivered. There will obviously be a learning curve in perfecting their use. And, since they only have 100 of them, it won’t be surprising if the Ukrainians reserve these for the most high-value Russian targets.

Russia’s Drones

Russia, of course, has its own drones. They are using them to great effect — albeit with much less press hoopla. While many Ukrainian drone successes have been widely publicized, only a few Russian drone attacks have been announced by the more OPSEC-conscious Russian military.   The Ukrainians eschewed OPSEC, for the sake of gathering support from the west. Because of Russia’s OPSEC, it is difficult to gauge which side is winning the drone war. The Russians seem to have the upper hand in the far eastern and southeastern periphery of Ukraine. But in the majority of the country, it seems to be Ukrainian drones that rule the skies.

The End Game?

The long-term result of the Russian invasion is still uncertain. If Russia were to unleash the full force of their strategic airpower, then they could bomb Ukraine’s cities into rubble. But doing so might escalate this regional war into World War 3. And, obviously, the United States and NATO allies can continue to supply weaponry and intelligence products to the Ukrainians. But if they were to send in ground troops or NATO-manned aircraft, then that could also easily result in World War 3. So for now, the Ukraine War will be a Proxy War, for the NATO allies. The war may drag on for months or even years, and turn into a war of attrition. Russia’s revised long-term goal might be to simply annex eastern Ukraine — especially its seaports. They might then negotiate a ceasefire. If they could reduce Ukraine to settling for that, then Russia might consider it a victory, albeit a very costly one.

Some unintended consequence of the Ukraine invasion will likely be that both Sweden and Finland will join NATO. Also, the small, independent Baltic nations will seek to heavily arm themselves. All in all, the Ukraine War will result in tremendous distrust of Russia in Europe, for at least a generation. Western reliance on Russian natural gas will be sharply reduced. The Russians will be eyed with suspicion in all business and banking dealings.

In essence, the Russians went in and unjustifiably killed lots of people and destroyed lots of property. They will be feeling the consequences of their actions for many years to come.

Lessons For Preppers

The war in Ukraine has some important lessons for preppers and survivalists, worldwide. In my estimation, this war has underscored several issues:

  • From now on, every war will be a drone war.
  • We need to eye all media as potentially propagandistic.
  • The importance of camouflage. (“If you can be seen, you can be hit.”)
  • We will need drones, as force multipliers.
  • The need for OPSEC.
  • Night vision is truly a force multiplier.
  • The importance of independent water and power supplies.
  • The need for anti-armor weapons. (“Got thermite?”)

Watch, and learn. – JWR

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:

We’ve recently had problems with skunks getting into our compost pile. Lily had me set a double-ended treadle box trap a few days ago, and I baited it with tuna fish — my favorite skunk bait.  Sure enough, there was an adult skunk in the trap, the next morning.  But before I had the chance to tarp the trap and kill that skunk, our 8-month old pup decided to check out the trap, and got herself skunked. Yuck!  The pup then was given her first tomato sauce bath.

This past week I also replaced a couple of cedar fence posts. They formed an “end of the line” H-Brace, that met a pasture fence tube gate. So it required re-tensioning the fence wire. The original posts were just 8 inches in diameter and had rotted out, after 15 years. Those were a bit small for a H-Brace. I replaced them with a pair of cedar posts that measured 17″ and 14″ inches at the butt. The larger one of those took a little engineering to get in position, since it probably weighed 700+ pounds. I carefully positioned it at the hole and parked one of our quads at the far side. Taking my commands, our #2 Daughter controlled the quad’s winch to angle up the post, while Lily and I gingerly raised and guided the post and dropped it into the hole. It dropped in with a satisfying “Thump!” These new larger-diameter posts should last at least 20 years, even in our valley’s wet microclimate.

Later in the week, after a two-hour hike up a mountain into the National Forest,  Lily helped me re-hang a 16-foot heavy-duty tube gate that had been dragging. Just another day on the ranch.

Now, over to Lily.

Continue reading“Editors’ Prepping Progress”