Today’s graphic: The most expensive neighborhood in every US State. (Graphic courtesy of Reddit.)
—
Please send your graphic ideas to JWR. (Either via e-mail or via our Contact form.) Any graphics that you send must either be your own creation or uncopyrighted.
“The most effective way to destroy people is to deny and obliterate their own understanding of their history.” – George Orwell
On March 17, 1891, the British Steamer Utopia sank off Gibraltar, killing 574 passengers and crew. The ship primarily carried Italian immigrants, in cramped “steerage” bunks. Here is a description of the disaster at The Dawlish Chronicles:
“On the afternoon of March 17th 1891 the SS Utopia reached Gibraltar. Captain John McKeague was familiar with this anchorage and he headed his ship towards her usual mooring in the inner harbour. Light was failing and only too late did McKeague realise that two Royal Navy Battleships, HMS Anson and HMS Rodney were already there. At this time these two ships of the “Admiral Class” were among the most modern in the Royal Navy, each of 10,600 tons on a 330 ft. length and with four 13.5 inch guns as their main armament. More significant on the present occasion was that both had viciously-pointed rams extending below water level from their bows. A large armoured cruiser present, HMS Immortalité, was similarly equipped. The Swedish corvette Freja was also at anchor.
At this remove in time it is hard to understand how the SS Utopia could enter a confined anchorage in darkness without a pilot, and how the presence of three very large ships there, and a smaller corvette, had not been noted previously. In a later deposition Captain McKeague stated that he was briefly dazzled by HMS Anson ’s searchlight. Only when he was became accustomed to the glare did he “suddenly discover that the inside anchorage was full of ships”. He claimed that he thought that Anson was “further off than she really was” and he tried to steer in ahead of her bow. The manoeuvre was an unwise one and wind and currently swept the Utopia along HMS Anson’s bow. Acting like a giant can-opener, the ram tore a 16 foot gash below the Utopia’s waterline. Flooding began and engine power was lost immediately.”
—
On this day in 1992, nearly 69 percent of white South African voters backed F.W. de Klerk‘s reforms—which included the repeal of racially discriminatory laws—and effectively endorsed the dismantling of apartheid.
—
Today is the birthday of the late Thomas Michael “Mad Mike” Hoare (born 1919, died 2020.) The book Mad Mike Hoare: The Legend (published in 2018) is fascinating reading.
—
This is also the birthday of Józef Franczak (born 1917, died 21 October 1963), who was a Polish Army Corporal who fought in the World War II resistance against the invading Germans. He then carried on after the war, to fight against the occupying Soviets and their Polish communist stooges. Eventually, he was one of the last of the Cursed Soldiers resistance in Poland. His nom de guerre was Lalek.
—
Today’s feature article is a guest post authored by Brandon Smith of Alt-Market.us, selected by JWR.
—
We are in need of entries for Round 111 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. 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 111 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.
One of my favorite false narratives floating around corporate media platforms has been the argument that the American people “just don’t seem to understand how good the economy really is right now.” If only they would look at the stats, they would realize that we are in the middle of a financial renaissance, right? It must be that people have been brainwashed by negative press from conservative sources…
I have to laugh at this claim because it’s a very common one throughout history – It’s an assertion made by almost every single political regime right before a major collapse. These people always say the same things, and when you study economics as long as I have you can’t help but throw up your hands and marvel at their dedication to the propaganda.
One example that comes to mind immediately is the delusional optimism of the “roaring” 1920s and the lead-up to the Great Depression. At the time around 60% of the US population was living in poverty conditions (according to the metrics of the decade) earning less than $2000 a year. However, in the years after WWI ravaged Europe, America’s economic power was considered unrivaled.Continue reading“Why The US Economy is Actually A Disaster In Progress, by Brandon Smith”
The latest meme created by JWR:
Meme Text: The Real Joe Biden Venn Diagram
Notes From JWR: Do you have a meme idea? Just e-mail me the concept, and I’ll try to assemble it. And if it is posted then I’ll give you credit. Thanks!
Permission to repost memes that I’ve created is granted, provided that credit to SurvivalBlog.com is included.
“Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.” – 1 Corinthians 13 (KJV)
On March 16, 2014, in a popular referendum, Crimea voted to secede from Ukraine and join the Russian Federation; despite opposition from numerous countries, Russia later annexed the region.
On March 14, 1926, American inventor Robert H. Goddard launched the first successful liquid-propellant rocket.
Today is the anniversary of the Battle at Pound Gap Kentucky. (1862)
—
Today we present another entry for Round 111 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include:
—
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 111 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.
(Continued from Part 1. This concludes the article.)
Living in such a dry environment for so many years in Colorado instilled a natural water conservancy in us. Now that we live next to a lake and have abundant rainfall throughout the year, we feel very fortunate to have so much water “at our fingertips.” Currently, our water usage is very low since we don’t have a flush toilet, washing machine, or plants/garden that need watering. Until recently, we didn’t have an indoor shower, either. Laundry and car washing are done in our nearby small town. On average, we fill our drinking containers about once a week. The wash water collection varies, depending on the amount of rain or snow. But if it has been dry, we pull water from the lake about once a week. Regardless, we always keep an eye on our water levels and refill the containers before we run out.
Average amounts water needed for us (two adults):
Continue reading“Life Without Running Water – Part 2, by E. Homesteader”
To be prepared for a crisis, every Prepper must establish goals and make both long-term and short-term plans. In this column, the SurvivalBlog editors review their week’s prep activities and planned prep activities for the coming week. These range from healthcare and gear purchases to gardening, ranch improvements, bug-out bag fine-tuning, and food storage. This is something akin to our Retreat Owner Profiles, but written incrementally and in detail, throughout the year. We always welcome you to share your own successes and wisdom in your e-mailed letters. We post many of those –or excerpts thereof — in the Odds ‘n Sods Column or in the Snippets column. Let’s keep busy and be ready!
I just noticed that this is the 370th time that we’ve posted our weekly Editors’ Prepping Progress column, since its start in 2017. Time passes quickly!
The snow is rapidly receding, with warmer weather and fairly frequent rain showers. It is about a full month ahead of the expected melt, for our valley. But there are only about two tons of hay left in our barn. So I may yet have to buy some more hay before I can get the horses and cattle out on our pasture.
Once the snow clears in our woods, I can safely start cutting deadfall. We always have more than enough firewood for each winter. But I’m always anxious to start cutting wood, each spring. This year, for the first time ever, I might get a free US Forest Service domestic wood-cutting permit. This will provide several cords of wood. To qualify for cutting under the permit, the trees must all be dead-fallen or dead-standing. And I won’t be allowed to haul out any pieces more than six feet long. They place that stipulation to keep folks from cutting, commercially viable logs for lumber-milling.
Inevitably, each spring there are also fence and gate repairs to be done. This past winter we didn’t have any trees go down over our fence lines. That was fortunate. But there are always fence tensioning adjustments — particularly in spots where deer frequently cross fences. Larger game — elk, moose, and bears — can really do a number on a fence. But again, this year we were fortunate, with just a couple of “scrunched” spots on the fence top wires. Our fencing is all woven wire. Because we have horses, we don’t run any barbed wire.
Now, Lily’s part of the report…
“And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation:
And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?
At the same time my reason returned unto me; and for the glory of my kingdom, mine honour and brightness returned unto me; and my counsellors and my lords sought unto me; and I was established in my kingdom, and excellent majesty was added unto me.” – Daniel 4: 34-36 (KJV)
On March 15, 1917, during the first phase of the Russian Revolution, Tsar Nicholas II was forced to abdicate, thus ending the rule of the Romanov dynasty.
In 44 BC Roman dictator Julius Caesar was launching a series of political and social reforms when he was assassinated March 15th, the Ides of March, by a group of nobles, among whom were Cassius and Brutus.
This is the birthday of General and President Andrew Jackson, in 1767. He was the 7th President of the United States (1829-1837.)
—
Today we present another entry for Round 111 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include:
—
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 111 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.
When I was in my 30s I began to practice an off-the-grid, alternative lifestyle. But the unique circumstances of 2020 tested my adage: “make the best of what life offers,” and polished my homesteading skills like nothing before. By trial, and not too much error, I’ve learned to live without running water and want to share my experiences with you. I’m now in my 60s.
In September of 2019, we sold our 42 acre, off-grid Colorado homestead where we lived for 14 years, raising various small animals, tending a large garden, and powering everything with solar and wind. After closing on the house, our plan was to travel a bit and eventually settle in the northeastern part of the United States, somewhere near a lake. After storing our household goods and two cats with my sister-in-law, we moved into a big pick-up truck with an old, comfy camper-topper and started our new life. I frequently comment on our lifestyle now as “luxury camping” and that carefree time of traveling as “dry-cabin training”.
During the first two weeks of March of 2020, we camped in a boatyard so we could help a friend work on his sailboat and planned to stay for a month or so. But those plans changed when everything else around us started to change, too. Since all our household belongings were stored in my sister-in law’s barn just a few states away, I asked my husband on March 12, 2020, “Do you want to get stuck here (in the boatyard) or on your sister’s homestead?” We chose the homestead and spent a glorious spring month in the countryside, cozy and warm, with family at our fingertips.Continue reading“Life Without Running Water – Part 1, by E. Homesteader”
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 spiking olive oil prices. (See the Commodities section.)
The recent rally in gold is continuing, albeit with some profit-taking. My gut tells me that in a few months folks will consider $2,200 USD per Troy ounce the new floor, for spot gold.
o o o
From chartist Mark Lundeen, at Gold-Eagle.com: Gold Flies to Fresh All-Time Highs.
Currently, this should be of great interest: Major U.S. Banks With the Most Commercial Real Estate Exposure.
o o o
A recent video from The Economic Ninja describes the Bidenistas’ quest to destroy the free market and warns of an upcoming economic collapse: It Just Began (This Is Very Serious).
o o o
Over at The Conversation (or as I call it: The Liberal Lecture): Why economists are warning of another US banking crisis.
o o o
Linked over at the Whatfinger.com news aggregation site: Argentina’s Milei Goes All In On ‘Shock’ Policies In Bid To Save Country’s Economy.
o o o
Charles Hugh Smith, by way of Zero Hedge: A Low-Trust Society Is an Impoverished Society.
Continue reading“Economics & Investing For Preppers”
“If a candidate is not publically committed to fewer government programs from fewer government agencies enforcing fewer government regulations with fewer government bureaucrats on less lavish taxpayer-funded pay, he’s not serious. He’s not only killing your grandchildren’s and children’s future, he’s killing yours – and you will live to see it.” – Mark Steyn
60 years ago today, on March 14, 1964, in the first courtroom verdict to be televised in the United States, Jack Ruby (Jacob Rubenstein) was found guilty of the murder of Lee Harvey Oswald, the alleged assassin of U.S. President John F. Kennedy.
—
Today is the birthday of fighter ace Major Raoul Lufbery (born 1885). He was shot down and killed in 1918.
—
This is also the birthday of Marlin Perkins. He was well-known as the television host of Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom. He was born in 1905 in Carthage. Missouri. We died in June, 1986.
—
Today we present another entry for Round 111 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include:
—
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 111 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.
