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 the market prospects for gold.

Precious Metals:

The new floor for spot silver seems to be around $30 USD per Troy ounce. Any time it drops lower in Western trading, the Asian traders quickly run it back up, with strong buying.

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Jim Rickards: $27,000 Gold. A quote:

“This analysis begins with a simple question: What’s the implied non-deflationary price of gold under a new gold standard?

No central banker in the world wants a gold standard. Why would they? Right now, they control the machinery of global currencies (also called fiat money).

They have no interest in a form of money they can’t control. It took about 60 years from 1914–1974 to drive gold out of the monetary system. No central banker wants to let it back in.”

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With Momentum In Its Favor, Gold Has Potential To Head Higher.

Economy & Finance:

A video essay from a familiar face with a quite sound Big Picture view of the global monetary milieu, pointing to an upcoming Dollar Collapse: Something Huge Is Unfolding in the Financial World. She summed it up with this: “The day of the Dollar’s reckoning is here.”

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House Releases $1.5 Trillion Farm Bill, Teeing Up Duel With Senate.

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Linked over at the Whatfinger.com news aggregation site:

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Martin W. Armstrong: US Consumer Sentiment Reaches 6-Month Low.

Continue reading“Economics & Investing For Preppers”

The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“You can always create a fraction by putting one variable upstairs and another variable downstairs, but that does not establish any causal relationship between them, nor does the resulting quotient have any necessary relationship to anything in the real world.” – Thomas Sowell

Preparedness Notes for Thursday — May 23, 2024

May 23, 1824 was birthday of Ambrose Burnside. He served as the Governor of Rhode Island from 1866 to 1869. During the American Civil War he was a general in the Union Army, where he led successful campaigns in North Carolina and Tennessee, but suffered defeats at the Battle of Fredericksburg and Battle of the Crater.

After his period as a governor, he served as a US Senator for Rhode Island from 1875 until his death in 1881, and also had a number of industrial directorships, most prominently on the country’s railroad networks.

His distinctive style of facial hair gave birth to the name “sideburns”, derived from his last name.

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The Sporter Sale Continues!  All 20 of the remaining sporterized rifles in my inventory are on sale, at Elk Creek Company. By request from several readers, I’ve extended this sale for a full week, to end on Friday, May 31st. When I last checked, we still had milsurp sporters available chambered in .22-250, .243 Winchester, .257 Roberts, 6.5×55 Mauser, 7×57 Mauser,  .308 Winchester/7.62mm NATO,  7.62x39mm, 7.65mm Argentine Mauser, and .45 ACP.

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SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

Today we present another entry for Round 112 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 $2,000.
  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 Peak Refuel “Wasatch Pack” variety of 60 servings of premium freeze-dried breakfasts and dinners in individual meal pouches — a whopping 21,970 calories, all made and packaged in the USA — courtesy of Ready Made Resources (a $359 value),
  4. American Gunsmithing Institute (AGI) is providing a $300 certificate good towards any of their DVD training courses.
  5. 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
  2. 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).
  3. A $200 credit from Military Surplus LLC that can be applied to purchase and/or shipping costs for any of their in-stock merchandise, including full mil-spec ammo cans, Rothco clothing and field gear, backpacks, optics, compact solar panels, first aid kits, and more.
  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. A Berkey Light water filter, courtesy of USA Berkey Filters (a $305 value),
  2. A $300 gift certificate from Good2Goco.com, good for any of their products: Home freeze dryers, pressure canners, Country Living grain mills, Emergency Essentials foods, and much more.
  3. 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)
  4. A transferable $150 FRN purchase credit from Elk Creek Company, toward the purchase of any pre-1899 antique gun.

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More than $875,000 worth of prizes have been awarded since we started running this contest. In 2023, we polled blog readers, asking for suggested article topics. Refer to that poll if you haven’t yet chosen an article topic. Round 112 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.

A Common Man’s Commo Plan, by Tunnel Rabbit

Introduction

Once our cell phones become unusable or useless, only then we’ll we fully appreciate the need for radio communications. I am writing this because I am painfully aware of how vulnerable we are. Please get “radioed-up” ASAP and use your equipment now and regularly to attain a baseline of proficiency. Satellite phones are not a good substitute for reliable old analog radios that are not dependent upon third-party infrastructure.

The Plan

The commo plan that I lay out in this article is simple, affordable, flexible (adaptable), and provides redundant capabilities and interoperability for the least amount of money.  It also requires the least amount of expertise, and no license to operate. Any plan should be well-rounded and cover as many possible contingencies as possible, within our budgets.

As security will be “Job One”, and because without comms you can not adequately coordinate a defense, and because few have a commo plan of any kind, and because most of us can not afford to buy everything we might need, I have some suggestions: I suggest these low cost and simple to operate handheld transceivers  as a first purchase to be used for a security operation and substitute for a local telephone system, and for general use, as the situation dictates.Continue reading“A Common Man’s Commo Plan, by Tunnel Rabbit”

The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods

SurvivalBlog presents another edition of The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods. This column is a collection of news bits and pieces that are relevant to the modern survivalist and prepper from JWR. Our goal is to educate our readers, to help them to recognize emerging threats, and to be better prepared for both disasters and negative societal trends. You can’t mitigate a risk if you haven’t first identified a risk.

Warrantless Searches by Game Wardens: Unconstitutional

Blog reader R.W. suggested this article at Outdoor Life: Tennessee Judges Rein in Game Wardens, Declaring Warrantless Searches on Private Land Unconstitutional.

BLM Makes Major Policy Shift

More Chevron Deference “rulemaking”, expanding Federal bureaucratic power: BLM Adopts Rule Described as a ‘Generation-Defining’ Shift for America’s Largest Land Manager. Here is a quote:

“The Bureau of Land Management on Thursday adopted a long-awaited rule that aims to put conservation initiatives “on equal footing” with oil and gas leasing, grazing and other commercial uses of federal land.

The rule “combines our ongoing work with a vision for conservation to help us manage lands into the 21st century,” BLM Director Tracy Stone-Manning said in a video announcing the rule. “It ensures that the BLM can carry out its multiple-use and sustained-yield mission now and into the future — a mission that includes providing minerals, energy, forage, timber and recreational opportunities, and now a renewed commitment to conservation.”

This shift by the country’s largest land manager has been applauded by conservation and environmental organizations and criticized by oil and gas and agricultural groups.

It will, among other things, allow the BLM to lease land for “restoration” and “mitigation.” The agency said these leases will help it meet water security, biodiversity and climate objectives.”

Russian Rocket Tests 300 Miles from California Coast

B.G. sent this: Russian Rocket Booster, Not Military Exercise, Prompts Airspace Warning Off California.

Continue reading“The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods”

The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“Christianity started in Palestine as a fellowship of followers; it moved to Greece and became a philosophy of thinkers; it moved to Italy and became the institution of an Empire; it moved to Europe and became a cultural ethos; and it came to America and became a business enterprise.” – Pastor Sam Pascoe

Preparedness Notes for Wednesday — May 22, 2024

On May 22, 334 BC, the Macedonian army of Alexander the Great defeated Darius III of Persia in the Battle of the Granicus.

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The War of the Roses began on May 22, 1455. From History.com’s description: “In the opening battle of England’s War of the Roses, the Yorkists defeat King Henry VI’s Lancastrian forces at St. Albans, 20 miles northwest of London. Many Lancastrian nobles perished, including Edmund Beaufort, the Duke of Somerset, and the king was forced to submit to the rule of his cousin, Richard of York. The dynastic struggle between the House of York, whose badge was a white rose, and the House of Lancaster, later associated with a red rose, would stretch on for 30 years.”

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May 22, 1859 is also the birthday of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the creator of Sherlock Holmes.

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SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

Today we present another entry for Round 112 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 $2,000.
  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 Peak Refuel “Wasatch Pack” variety of 60 servings of premium freeze-dried breakfasts and dinners in individual meal pouches — a whopping 21,970 calories, all made and packaged in the USA — courtesy of Ready Made Resources (a $359 value),
  4. American Gunsmithing Institute (AGI) is providing a $300 certificate good towards any of their DVD training courses.
  5. 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
  2. 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).
  3. A $200 credit from Military Surplus LLC that can be applied to purchase and/or shipping costs for any of their in-stock merchandise, including full mil-spec ammo cans, Rothco clothing and field gear, backpacks, optics, compact solar panels, first aid kits, and more.
  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. A Berkey Light water filter, courtesy of USA Berkey Filters (a $305 value),
  2. A $300 gift certificate from Good2Goco.com, good for any of their products: Home freeze dryers, pressure canners, Country Living grain mills, Emergency Essentials foods, and much more.
  3. 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)
  4. A transferable $150 FRN purchase credit from Elk Creek Company, toward the purchase of any pre-1899 antique gun.

—

More than $875,000 worth of prizes have been awarded since we started running this contest. In 2023, we polled blog readers, asking for suggested article topics. Refer to that poll if you haven’t yet chosen an article topic. Round 112 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.

Mental Preparedness for a Free Life, by Mrs. M.

What does this sound like, to you?

“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness but denying the power thereof: from such turn away (2 Tim 3:1-5)

To me, this sounds like a description of the present day. There are so many places that one could take an article about these verses. I want to focus on the last part: having a form of godliness but denying the power thereof. The truth has great power and being able to live in and tell the truth to ourselves and others is one of our most powerful weapons.

This comes up in so many places in our lives. How many times have we been afraid to speak up about something that would be deemed “phobic” – transphobic, homophobic, xenophobic, about something that was actually not based in fear but in truth? One does not need to be afraid of those identifying as transexual to not want children to be allowed to make decisions that change their bodies, hormones, and core self-concept when they are not considered old enough to be allowed to vote, marry, or fight in wars; yet doctors and mental health professionals encourage their autonomy in this. As a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), I have seen colleagues write letters for elementary school children to start the transformation process. It is something I stand against for the obvious reasons above and medical reasons such as the increased depression, suicidal ideation, and permanent physical illness that these processes can cause. So, the question is, as Judeo-Christian people, why are we denying the power of the truth and stating the obvious? It is like the story where the emperor was not wearing any clothes, but no one wanted to say so.Continue reading“Mental Preparedness for a Free Life, by Mrs. M.”

SurvivalBlog Readers’ & Editors’ Snippets

This weekly Snippets column is a collection of short items: 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. Note that we may select some long e-mails for posting as separate letters.

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Some great news! GOA, GOF Help Secure Temporary Restraining Order Against Biden’s Universal Background Check Rule.  Here is a quote:

“Today, Gun Owners of America (GOA) and the Gun Owners Foundation (GOF) helped secure a temporary restraining order (TRO) against the Biden ATF’s new Universal Registration Check rule, which could require any person who sells just one gun in a year to obtain a Federal Firearms License and conduct background checks.

The rule was slated to take effect on May 20th, but under the TRO, it may not be enforced against the individual plaintiff, the citizens of the State of Texas, and members of GOA, GOF, the Tennessee Firearms Association, and the Virginia Citizens Defense League.”

JWR’s Comment:  This legal protection is another good reason to join the GOA!

o  o  o

Reader Mike M. sent this suggestion:

“I think as prepared citizens we purchase supplies in stages. After the initial stage of defense we begin stocking up on food related items or ways to secure food for the depression era that is coming. Luckily my grandparents and parents told me countless stories of the depression era and what they could not get. One story told to me was about fishing in a small creek during the dry months when the water was basically still or flowing very little. They would take green walnuts, hulls and all, place them in a burlap bag and beat them to a pulp. They then took them to a creek and “sloused ” them around in the water where it was pooled several feet deep. This reaction, as i was told, took the oxygen from the water and the fish would float to the surface to be picked up.

I live near water of all types. I have prepared for fishing for a long time and have recently purchased extra supplies. I have put back a turtle trap, gill nets, catfish hoops/traps, bream traps, and trot lines. There is an outlet called Nets and More located in Jonesville, Louisiana. They build nets or anything associated with fishing. They have remnants of gill net that is as cheap as you can get. About $5 and up, depending on what you need. Did you know you can catch birds and other animals in nets?  Just place them near a feed area. Use small netting sizes for this. Good luck.”

o  o  o

How Many Gun Owners are in America? (2024 Statistics).

Continue reading“SurvivalBlog Readers’ & Editors’ Snippets”

Preparedness Notes for Tuesday — May 21, 2024

On May 21, 1871, French regular troops began their attack on the Commune de Paris — an attempted French revolutionary government that seized power and barricaded streets in Paris from 18 March to 28 May, 1871. By July 28th, 17,000 had died.

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On May 21, 32, after flying for 17 hours from Newfoundland, Amelia Earhart landed near Londonderry, Northern Ireland, becoming the first transatlantic solo flight by a woman.

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Today is the birthday of English poet Alexander Pope.  (Born May 21, 1688, died May 30, 1744.) In addition to his own poetical works and essays, he translated the Iliad and then the Odyssey. He also issued a new edition of Shakespeare‘s works.

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May 21st is also the birthday of weapons designer John Douglas Pedersen. (Born 1881, died 1951.) His name is almost synonymous with the short-lived Pedersen Device — a conversion kit that turned a Model 1903 Springfield bolt action rifle into a semi-automatic “trench broom.”

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The Sporter Sale is On!  For just the next four days, all of the sporterized rifles in my inventory are on sale, at Elk Creek Company. This sale ends at midnight Pacific Time, Friday, May 24th, so order soon.

—

SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

Today we present another entry for Round 112 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 $2,000.
  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 Peak Refuel “Wasatch Pack” variety of 60 servings of premium freeze-dried breakfasts and dinners in individual meal pouches — a whopping 21,970 calories, all made and packaged in the USA — courtesy of Ready Made Resources (a $359 value),
  4. American Gunsmithing Institute (AGI) is providing a $300 certificate good towards any of their DVD training courses.
  5. 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
  2. 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).
  3. A $200 credit from Military Surplus LLC that can be applied to purchase and/or shipping costs for any of their in-stock merchandise, including full mil-spec ammo cans, Rothco clothing and field gear, backpacks, optics, compact solar panels, first aid kits, and more.
  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. A Berkey Light water filter, courtesy of USA Berkey Filters (a $305 value),
  2. A $300 gift certificate from Good2Goco.com, good for any of their products: Home freeze dryers, pressure canners, Country Living grain mills, Emergency Essentials foods, and much more.
  3. 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)
  4. A transferable $150 FRN purchase credit from Elk Creek Company, toward the purchase of any pre-1899 antique gun.

—

More than $875,000 worth of prizes have been awarded since we started running this contest. In 2023, we polled blog readers, asking for suggested article topics. Refer to that poll if you haven’t yet chosen an article topic. Round 112 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.

 

Tree Planting and Care, by R.B.

Late winter into early spring is usually the time for planting, pruning, and getting trees ready for the coming summer. Since trees and maintenance services are usually expensive, you need to know how to do this for yourself. If you are thinking about planting new trees in the next 6 to 18 months, then now is the time to prepare. Purchases from a tree nursery must often be planned months in advance. Some nurseries take pre-orders a year ahead.

Whether you are planting a fruit tree, a nut tree, a deciduous shade tree, or an evergreen tree for privacy and wind reduction, the planting process is more than just digging a hole in the ground and dropping it in. My grandfather spent time planting trees for shelter belts during the Great Depression, when the wind picked up loose topsoil to create the Dust Bowl. Some of those shelter belts can still be seen around Nebraska and Kansas to this day, although many are poorly maintained. That is sad! Proper planting and spacing is essential.
Continue reading“Tree Planting and Care, by R.B.”

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 located in the American Redoubt region that are of interest to preppers and survivalists.

Region-Wide

Today is election day in many states, for state and local issues. Examine the backgrounds of your candidates closely, and then get out and vote!

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101 things to do in the Inland Northwest this summer.

Idaho

Reader R.J. sent this: West Coast exodus drives surprising political effect in red state, and it’s not a liberal shift. Here is an excerpt:

“Idaho is one of the fastest-growing states in the country, according to recent census data, with most of the increase coming not from births, but from West Coast movers. The rapid population gains have ballooned housing prices and strained inventory, while also sparking fears among conservative Idahoans that their new neighbors will bring liberal policies across the state line.

On the politics front, however, voter registration data suggests Gem State Republicans have nothing to fear.

‘Politically, we are not changing anything’ Bonner County Commissioner Luke Omodt said. ‘Idaho is actually growing redder.'”

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Chad Daybell trial: Full recap of prosecution’s case.

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‘This case is turning into a hamster wheel’: Family of slain University of Idaho student frustrated at pace of murder trial.

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6 people killed, 10 others injured in Idaho when pickup crashes into passenger van.

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

The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“Imagine the sea-level of the oceans rising at a rate of 50 feet in elevation per day … across the globe.  Naturally, out of self-preservation, any creature in its right mind would be compelled to move to higher ground for safety.

No matter how persistent the efforts to build levies with bulldozers and fill sandbags, the waters rush in, over, and through every countermeasure.  Eventually, the creatures congregate to safe havens and places of refuge.

Now think of the rising water in human societal and cultural terms.  There has already been a shift of people moving to “higher ground,” socially speaking of course.  Conservative, God-fearing men and women who love liberty and traditional American ideals are moving to safe havens and joining those already in places of refuge.  The waters of Marxism, Communism, Socialism, Humanism, Existentialism, Globalism, Islamo-fascism, anti-Americanism, and “Tolerance” are rising.

Christianity, Biblical doctrine and traditional American values are under attack from an increasingly hostile and intolerant  “ism” culture.

Most certainly one of the most significant demographic shifts in the United States today is the movement of people with fundamental American and Judeo-Christian value systems moving into the inland Pacific Northwest.  Particularly, this retreat to higher ground encompasses Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, Eastern Oregon, and Eastern Washington.

It’s hardly visible, as a strong current under the surface.  But it’s there.  That, my friends, is the American Redoubt.  A stronghold.  A safe haven.  A refuge.” – Radio Free Redoubt Host “John Jacob Schmidt”

Preparedness Notes for Monday — May 20, 2024

Today, some sad news of the passing of a famed fighter ace: Bud Anderson, the last World War II ‘triple ace,’ dies at 102.

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On May 20, 1927, Charles Lindbergh took off on the first solo non-stop transatlantic flight. He departed from Long Island in the United States and arrived in Paris, France at 22:22 on the next day.

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On May 20, 1862, U.S. President Abraham Lincoln signed the Homestead Act, which provided 160 acres of public land virtually free of charge to those who had lived on and cultivated the land for at least five years.

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May 20th, 1942 was the birthday of Carlos Hathcock.  (He died February 23, 1999.) Hathcock was a United States Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant sniper with a service record of 93 confirmed kills.

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I just noticed that we’ve now archived almost 39,000 blog articles, columns, and quotes in SurvivalBlog. Please let your friends know that the entire SurvivalBlog archives are available free of charge. Subscriptions are entirely voluntary.  The archives can be accessed by category, by date, or via our search box at the top of the right-hand bar.

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Today’s feature article is a review authored by SurvivalBlog Field Gear Editor Tom Christianson.