SurvivalBlog Readers’ & Editors’ Snippets

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

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The latest from commentator  “Mr. Reagan”: FBI Accidentally Admits to Jan 6 FBI Operation.  JWR’s Comment:  I suspect that if Ray Epps is ever subpoenaed before congress or a Federal Grand Jury that he will conveniently not wake up some morning, a la Jeffrey Epstein or John McAfee.

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Reader W.S. in Switzerland wrote:

“You might be interested to inform your readers that Kevin Kelly’s CoolTools site is now offering his Cool Tools reference in PDF form for only $3.99 (473 pages, 109 Mb).  The book form of this reference is now about ten years old, but the PDF form is now available, less expensive, portable, searchable, and free shipping (especially for those outside the US). The content has not been updated since the original publication, but most of the information is still good and should be of interest to your readers.  Some liberal California ethos permeates, but there is enough great information on gardening, homesteading, cooking, tools, etc, etc to make it well worthwhile.
Best regards from a long-time reader in Zurich.”

Continue reading“SurvivalBlog Readers’ & Editors’ Snippets”

The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“Nothing can destroy a government more quickly than its failure to observe its own laws, or worse, its disregard of the charter of its own existence.” – Supreme Court Justice Tom C. Clark, in the majority for Mapp v. Ohio

Preparedness Notes for Tuesday — February 22, 2022

February 22, 1857 was the birthday of Heinrich Hertz, a German physicist who was the first to broadcast and receive radio waves and helped to invent radar technology.

On this day in 1943, Sophie Scholl was executed by beheading for organizing the White Rose group–a student resistance to the Hitler regime. She had been convicted of high treason, after having been found distributing anti-war leaflets at the University of Munich (LMU) with her brother, Hans. At her death, she was 21 years old.

On this day in 1732, George Washington was born in Westmoreland County, Virginia, the second son from the second marriage of a colonial plantation owner. An initially loyal British subject, Washington eventually led the Continental Army in the American Revolution and became known as the father of the United States.

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SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

Today we present another entry for Round 99 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 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 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 99 ends on March 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.

Shortages, a 7-Year Food Supply, and Beating Inflation – Part 1, by SaraSue

Having a seven-year supply of healthy foods and saving money sounds like an oxymoron, but I want to explain how I did it in hopes it will help others. First, “7 years” is arbitrary. I had just finished reading the biblical story of Joseph and how God directed him to store up grain for 7 years because famine would come upon the land. Because of his obedience to God, he was rewarded both professionally by the Egyptian Pharaoh, and personally as the Lord brought his estranged family to him in need of grain. The story struck a chord in my heart and so I settled on a 7-year plan. I had no prophetic insight and claim none – this was something I chose to do. Whether God “laid it on my heart” or not, I do not know, but it became an urgent goal for me. This is my story and methods.

  • Part 1 is a review of possible reasons for the shortages of seemingly Everything and discussion of basic areas of preparedness.
  • Part 2 is a review of the basics: Water, Shelter, Tools, Energy.
  • Part 3 is a review of Food in particular.
  • Part 4 is a review of the Costs associated with a 7-year food plan and how to avoid inflationary costs.
Shortages of Everything!

Many of you have been surprised when you couldn’t find something simple, something common, something that has always been in plentiful supply here in these United States of America. Others of us shake our heads and mutter to ourselves about how devious The Powers That Be (TPTB) are, by creating shortages of almost everything. We remember the outsourcing to other countries, mainly China, over time, until suddenly we made almost nothing in our own country. We remember the job losses associated with outsourcing. We remember the shutting down of mills that made fabric, plants that made cars, and steel. We remember when technology jobs were outsourced to India, Puerto Rico, and other countries. We remember when California was turned into a wasteland after enjoying decades of oranges, apricots, walnuts, artichokes, and avocados. So many sad memories of what our Country was and how it has become. There are many more stories of the changes we’ve seen. So while we hear that “climate change” is the boogeyman, I see political policies as the culprit. I see multinational conglomerates manipulating markets to their advantage. I see politicians becoming millionaires after taking office. I see the ability of the common man or woman to provide for themselves and their families jeopardized.

Depending upon your lifestyle and where you come from, you’ve experienced a shortage of Something in the past couple of years. At first, the blame was placed on the “Pandemic”, but as we peeled back the layers of the onion, we found that it had little to do with the “Pandemic”. The “Pandemic” was just an excuse to implement an agenda, and to transfer wealth from all the little guys (us) to the big guys (globalists). Why is it that everything is available on Amazon, but not in the local store? Why is it that Walmart dominates? Why is it that Costco shelves are full, but not the local grocery store, and in some cases, not even Walmart? Why? Questions I ponder, but I have my suspicions as to why small businesses were devastated the last two years and big business saw record profits.Continue reading“Shortages, a 7-Year Food Supply, and Beating Inflation – Part 1, by SaraSue”

SurvivalBlog’s News From The American Redoubt

This weekly column features news stories and event announcements from around the American Redoubt region. (Idaho, Montana, eastern Oregon, eastern Washington, and Wyoming.) Much of the region is also more commonly known as The Inland Northwest. We also mention companies of interest to preppers and survivalists that are located in the American Redoubt region. Today, we focus on Idaho’s demographic shifts. (See the Idaho section.)

Idaho

Bucking the national demographic trends, Idaho has a booming population, and that is attributable to a high birth rate and internal migration (many of them Redoubters) rather than foreign immigration.

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Reader “Campdoubt” sent these observations on Idaho politics:

“I attended the Washington County’s Republicans dinner this last weekend and there were a few good candidates that  would like to share with you:
1 Trotter for Idaho | Scott Trotter for U.S. Senate | Lewiston. He is running against incumbent US Senator Mike Crapo
3 Janice McGeachen  — the current Lt. Governor of Idaho.
The chickenhawk US. Senator James Risch’s seat won’t be up for election in 2022, but he needs to go, too.”

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Idaho woman pleads guilty in death of young stepson.

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

The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“The Constitution is a written instrument. As such, its meaning does not alter. That which it meant when it was adopted, it means now.” – South Carolina v. United States, 199 U.S. 437, 448 (1905)

Preparedness Notes for Monday — February 21, 2022

February 21st is the birthday of Group Captain Douglas Bader (born 1910, died 5 September 1982). He was a Royal Air Force (RAF) fighter ace during the Second World War. He lost his legs in a pre-war flying accident, but that didn’t stop him from re-entering the RAF when war broke out. He was credited with 20 aerial victories, four shared victories, six probables, one shared probable, and 11 enemy aircraft damaged. Bader was eventually shot down and became a POW in Germany. Since the Luftwaffe ran its own POW camps, he became a celebrity with his captors. The Germans would lock up his hollow metal prosthetic legs each night to prevent him from escaping. Bader’s autobiography Reach for the Sky is a must for those studying aviation in World War II.

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I noticed two new property listings of interest, over at my #1 Son’s SurvivalRealty.com site:

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Today’s feature article is a review, written by our Field Gear Editor Emeritus, Pat Cascio.

Review: CRKT Xan, by Pat Cascio

I want to say that the CRKT (Columbia River Knife & Tool) Xan knife under review in this article is “symmetrical” but that’s not quite true. However, the design simply flows from the tip of the blade to the butt of the handle. It’s a little bit hard to explain, but once you pick up this folder, you’ll know exactly what I’m talking about. This folder was designed by Darrin William Sirois, a former Spec Ops guy, and it is surely is “tactical” if ever there was a tactically-inspired folding knife.

Those who have followed my knife articles for any length of time will know that I prefer a folder with a blade between 3.5-inches and 4.0-inches in length. That sized blade just seems to balance in my hand a lot better than shorter blades or even longer ones – at least when it comes to folders. That’s not to say I don’t have a use for, or like shorter blades – such is not the case. I like all of them! However, when shopping for a pocket knife for myself – and I do change pocket knives a lot, I like a blade in the above lengths.

The Xan, is made in Taiwan, for those who are interested, and CRKT has been having their knives made there for many years. I won’t give away any factory secrets. However, someone from the CRKT headquarters is frequently in Taiwan making sure that everything is being run the way CRKT wants it run, and that no shortcuts are being made. It is a labor of love for CRKT, to bring us the finest cutlery they can, at the best and most affordable prices – being made in Taiwan, really keeps the prices down, and we can expect some great deals and outstanding cutlery at the same time. And we are talking Taiwan — Free China, not the Mainland People’s Republic of China. What’s not to like about this kind of deal?Continue reading“Review: CRKT Xan, 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 obsevrve rising precious metals prices as the threat of war looms over Ukraine. (See the Tangibles Investing section.)

Precious Metals:

Gold prices near all-time high amid tensions in Eastern Europe.

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New High Grade Discovery Near Ontario’s 1st Gold Mine.

Economy & Finance:

Junk-bond issuance pauses as Russia threatens Ukraine, with spreads at their widest level in a year. (A hat tip to H.L. for the link.)

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At Zero Hedge: Shocker From Fed Repo Oracle Zoltan Pozsar: Powell Must Crash The Market.

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The Washington Post: Mortgage rates soar to levels not seen in nearly three years.

Continue reading“Economics & Investing For Preppers”

Preparedness Notes for Sunday — February 20, 2022

This is the birthday of novelist and screenwriter Richard Matheson (1926–2013). He wrote many sci-fi television scripts. His novella I Am Legend later was adapted into three different movies over the course of five decades, and his story Bid Time Return became the charming movie Somewhere In Time.

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SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

Today we present another entry for Round 99 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 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 transferable $100 FRN purchase credit from Elk Creek Company, toward the purchase of any pre-1899 antique gun.

—

More than $725,000 worth of prizes have been awarded since we started running this contest. Round 99 ends on March 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.

 

The US as Babylon The Great, and What it Means to Preppers, by R.G.

Nowhere in the Bible is there a description of a latter-day Superpower that impacts the whole earth until the One World Government comes. Where is a Superpower like USA, or even China, described in the Biblical events leading to Christ’s return and Armageddon? Well, there is a detailed description in Revelation chapter 18 of a great Superpower that is destroyed leading up to the final days. This superpower is called Babylon the Great. Could this be America?

Many Christian scholars believe Babylon to be Rome and/or the Catholic Church. They believe Rome’s destruction started in 410 A.D., continued with the decline of the Roman Empire and the ascendance/decline of the Catholic Church, and will conclude with final destruction as part of the 10-horn beast during the Tribulation.

But there are a growing number of believers who have concluded that the 10-horn beast spoken of in Daniel and Revelation is not a resurgence of the Roman Empire, rather 10 Islamic nations that encircle Israel. This theory and others conclude that Revelation 18 refers to America. I have always thought “Babylon” was someplace else, anywhere else but here, for I truly love America. But I have been given several “impressions” over the last year that point to the Christian Church in America needing to ask forgiveness for America’s checkered past and repent of our current lifestyle.

I do believe that America was founded on Biblical Judaean/Christian principles but we have strayed so far from those principles just over my lifetime of 70+ years. The Church has now become the frog in the boiling water that can’t feel the changes coming until being destroyed, enslaved or placed in re-education camps. That is, unless God intervenes with the rapture or Revelations 18 or both. We all hope and pray for the pre-trib rapture, but I believe we should also prepare for the possibility that Rev. 18 is speaking about America and prior to the rapture.

Let’s take a look at some of the key passages that would point to Rev. 18 being about USA. Remember, Revelation is written like many books in the Bible: Inductive to deductive then back again, so the verses do not line up in sequential order. Here, I will try to place the main ideas of Rev 18 in somewhat chronological order.Continue reading“The US as Babylon The Great, and What it Means to Preppers, by R.G.”

The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.

And he spake that saying openly. And Peter took him, and began to rebuke him.

But when he had turned about and looked on his disciples, he rebuked Peter, saying, Get thee behind me, Satan: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men.

And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it.

For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?

Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.” – Mark 8:31-38 (KJV)