JWR’s Recommendations of the Week:

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Here are JWR’s Recommendations of the Week for various media and tools of interest to SurvivalBlog readers. This week the focus is on AR Arm Braces. (See the Instructional Videos and Gear sections.)

Books:

Planning and Installing Micro-Hydro Systems: A Guide for Designers, Installers and Engineers

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Lettering and Modern Calligraphy: A Beginner’s Guide: Learn Hand Lettering and Brush Lettering

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Fight Autism and Win: Biomedical Therapies That Actually Work! Second Edition by Jan Martin

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The Coddling of the American Mind: How Good Intentions and Bad Ideas Are Setting Up a Generation for Failure

 

Movies:

Empire of the Sun

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Johnny Tremain

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The Armed American’s Complete Concealed Carry Guide to Effective Self-Defense

 

 

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The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“The poorest man may in his cottage bid defiance to all the forces of the Сrown. It may be frail – its roof may shake – the wind may blow through it – the storm may enter – the rain may enter – but the King of England cannot enter.” – William Pitt

The Legislative Onslaught Begins: Federal Gun Grabbing in 2019

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As they promised, the Democrat Party majority in the U.S. House of Representatives is wasting no time in gun grabbing in 2019. They are launching a raft of new civilian disarmament legislation. Although there is still a Republican majority in the U.S. Senate, there is a risk that some of these bills may be passed into law, following some across the aisle quid pro quo deal-making or legislative bundling. What I fear most is President Trump accepting such a deal, in order to get his coveted Border wall funded. I’m also concerned that some grand “compromise” might be reached, with the laudable Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act (introduced but not passed by the previous Congress) thrown into a package of legislation that would include one or more anti-gun bills.

There have already been three bills introduced or announced, and undoubtedly there are many more now being drafted. This will be a veritable onslaught of legislation. They seem intent on doing it California Style: That is, throwing a bunch of bills against the wall, in the hope that some of them will stick:

A Federal Red Flag Law

In the U.S. Senate both Democrats and a few Republicans have re-introduces S.7, a bill that seeks to encourage states to pass red-flag laws that would make it easier for courts to disarm “dangerous people.” It is titled the “Extreme Risk Protection Order and Violence Prevention Act.” Led by Republican in Name Only (RINO) Marco Rubio, this law has a good chance of passage, and alarmingly President DJT has promised to sign such legislation.

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SurvivalBlog’s News From The American Redoubt

Here is SurvivalBlog’s News From The American Redoubt. This weekly column features news stories and event announcements from around the American Redoubt region. We also mention companies of interest to preppers that are located in the region. The emphasis this week is on small business, Upland Optics. (See the Idaho section.)

 

Region-Wide

Economy could bring 15,000 people to Inland Northwest in 2019

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He’s in a heap -o’-trouble: Lewiston-Spokane Speed Chase.

Here are some more details on the chase and crash: Multiple agencies pursue vehicle in high speed chase through Spokane, Cheney; suspects arrested after crash

 

Idaho (Upland Optics)

Upland Optics is a company in Boise, Idaho that deserves special mention. They sell their on branded binoculars, spotting scopes, and rangefinders. They cater to hunters, but also get orders from tactical shooters.

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Washington regulators won’t reconsider decision to deny Avista sale to Hydro One. Here is a key quote:

“The UTC initially rejected the sale 12 days earlier on Dec. 5, stating it doesn’t serve the best interest of Avista or customers. Commission members cited Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s politically motivated actions in July led to abruptly remove Hydro One’s chief executive officer and its board of directors. Idaho regulators also blocked the sale, stating last week that the acquisition of Avista by Hydro One would violate a state law that prevents the sale of electric utility assets to an entity that is owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by any other state. Commissioners claimed the definition of “state” included the province of Ontario, which owns 47 percent of Hydro One’s stock.”

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Big changes are coming to Treasure Valley in 2019. Here’s a guide to what you’ll see

Montana

Billionaire Texas brothers selling four Montana ranches

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Predicted El Nino weather pattern slowly materializing in Western Montana

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House Republicans reach rules compromise on 2019 Montana Legislature’s opening day

 

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

The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods:

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SurvivalBlog presents another edition of The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods— a collection of news bits and pieces that are relevant to the modern survivalist and prepper from “HJL”. There is a great lesson in gun safety in today’s odds ‘n sods.

Global Warming…or Something

Syrian Refugee Camp in Lebanon Buried in Snow and Ice — Refugee Director Blames Global Warming

Great Deal

From JWR: I just noticed that KeepShooting.com (one of our most loyal advertisers) is now selling Austrian Army UT-2000 Half Sled Packs. With this clever design, you join two packs together to form a cargo snow sled. Grab a pair before they sell out!

The Great Divide

Europe is splitting in two. On one side is Germany and France who have formed a pact where border town “Eurodistricts” are being formed where French and German towns are merging their public transportation and utilities along with eroding the national sovereignty of both countries in favor of the Eurozone. On the other side stand Italy, Poland, and Hungary that have formed an alliance against such moves, strengthening each countries ability to remain sovereign within the EU. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has actually said he would like to see anti-immigration parties gaining a majority in the European Parliament elections later this year.

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Preparedness Notes for Monday – January 14, 2019

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On January 14th, 1784, the Continental Congress ratified the Second Treaty of Paris, ending the War for Independence. In the document, which was known as the Second Treaty of Paris because the Treaty of Paris was also the name of the agreement that had ended the Seven Years’ War in 1763, Britain officially agreed to recognize the independence of its 13 former colonies as the new United States of America.

Springfield Armory XDm 10mm, by Pat Cascio

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The 10mm round is just one of those calibers that refuses to go away, and this latest handgun addition– the Springfield Armory XDm– which is chambered in 10mm, might just be the best handgun to come along in this hot-stepping caliber.

Some History of 10mm Caliber Handguns

Let me give you some of the history on 10mm caliber handguns. Many years ago, a company called Dornus & Dixon announced they were coming out with a handgun in the new 10mm caliber. There were many problems along the way, first of which was financing. The second issue was that, while they did come out with a few handguns chambered in 10mm, many guns didn’t even come with a magazine let alone any spare magazines.

Because of Power Pistols Didn’t Hold Up

Since that time, a number of gun makers have come out with 10mm handguns. Unfortunately, because of the power of this round, the pistols just didn’t hold up. I owned a S&W Model 1006 in 10mm, and the gun was sent back to the factory three times – twice because the rear sight shot loose and once because of accuracy problems. After the third trip back for repairs, I gave up on the gun and traded it off.

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Recipe of the Week: Biscochitos, by T.R.

This is one of our favorite holiday cookies here in northern New Mexico. The traditional shape in this area is a simple disk about 1 1/2 inches in diameter, but you can use your cookie cutters if you want to.

Ingredients:

  • 6 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tbs baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 2 cups lard
  • 1 1/2 cups white sugar
  • 2 tsp anise seed
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/4 cup brandy
  • 1/4 cup white sugar
  • 1 tbs ground cinnamon

Continue reading“Recipe of the Week: Biscochitos, by T.R.”

Economics & Investing For Preppers

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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. And it bears mention that most of these items are from the “tangibles heavy” contrarian perspective of SurvivalBlog’s Founder and Senior Editor, JWR. Today’s focus is on so-called Humanium Metal. (See the Precious Metals  section.)

Precious Metals (Humanium Metal):

Getting To $1,300: Longest U.S. Gov’t Shutdown, U.S.-China Trade Talks, Brexit Troubles

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A reporter at Kitco apparently took a press release on “”Humanium Metal” at face value, and wrote this rubbish: Move Over Gold, This New Metal May Be More “Precious”.

To follow up, I wrote the following to the article’s author:
Humanium Metal is a socialist political posturing scam. Do they really expect anyone to “invest” in scrap metal, at the rate of 5,000 Euro for 4 kilograms?
The philosophy behind Humanium Metal is essentially voodoo.  If someone ascribes “evil” to inantimate objects, then that is voodoo. Here is a hypothetical: There are two anonymous old typewriters for sale on a shelf in a thrift store:  One belonged to Mother Teresa. The other belonged to Joseph Goebbels. Is one typewriter “good” and the other “evil”?  No, they are both just typewriters. The same goes for guns, or any scrap metal from melted-down guns.
Whomever wrote the Humanium Metal press release that you relied on has an agenda. And that agenda does not take into account that some of the guns seized in Central America were owned by people who owned them for legitimate self defense. Those people have now been stripped of that right. So contraprenurially “investing” in Humanium Mertal is indirectly contributing to making some citizens more vulnerable to criminals or oppressive governments.
Before echoing anything from a press release in an article, ask yourself: Cui bono? There are two sides to every story.

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Preparedness Notes for Sunday – January 13, 2019

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This is the birthday of actor and shooter Robert Stack (1919 -2003.)

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SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

This features another entry for Round 80 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The nearly $11,000 worth of prizes for this round include:

First Prize:

  1. A $3000 gift certificate towards a Sol-Ark Solar Generator from Veteran owned Portable Solar LLC. The only EMP Hardened Solar Generator System available to the public.
  2. A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate. This can be used for any 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. DRD Tactical is providing a 5.56 NATO QD Billet upper. These have hammer forged, chrome-lined barrels and a hard case, to go with your own AR lower. It will allow any standard AR-type rifle to have a quick change barrel. This can be assembled in less than one minute without the use of any tools. It also provides a compact carry capability in a hard case or in 3-day pack (an $1,100 value),
  5. Two cases of Mountain House freeze-dried assorted entrees in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources (a $350 value),
  6. A $250 gift certificate good for any product from Sunflower Ammo,
  7. American Gunsmithing Institute (AGI) is providing a $300 certificate good towards any of their DVD training courses.

Second Prize:

  1. A Model 175 Series Solar Generator provided by Quantum Harvest LLC (a $439 value),
  2. A Glock form factor SIRT laser training pistol and a SIRT AR-15/M4 Laser Training Bolt, courtesy of Next Level Training, which have a combined retail value of $589,
  3. A gift certificate for any two or three-day class from Max Velocity Tactical (a $600 value),
  4. A Three-Day Deluxe Emergency Kit from Emergency Essentials (a $190 value),
  5. 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).
  6. An assortment of products along with a one hour consultation on health and wellness from Pruitt’s Tree Resin (a $265 value).

Third Prize:

  1. A Royal Berkey water filter, courtesy of Directive 21 (a $275 value),
  2. A large handmade clothes drying rack, a washboard, and a Homesteading for Beginners DVD, all courtesy of The Homestead Store, with a combined value of $206,
  3. Expanded sets of both washable feminine pads and liners, donated by Naturally Cozy (a $185 retail value),
  4. Two Super Survival Pack seed collections, a $150 value, courtesy of Seed for Security, LLC,
  5. Mayflower Trading is donating a $200 gift certificate for homesteading appliances.

Round 80 ends on January 31st, so get busy writing and e-mail us your entry. Remember that there is a 1,500-word minimum, and that articles on practical “how to” skills for survival have an advantage in the judging.

“Inclusive” Strategic Planning As Part Of Everyday Environment- Part 5, by Old Bobbert

Inclusiveness in our prepper world of “after the SHTF event” is that element wherein everyone who will be involved in an activity, regardless of the nature of the activity, will be involved in the creation of the plan. This way they can thereby be more fully committed to the plans’ success.

We are currently in the midst of looking at itemized “inclusive” strategic planning considerations to apply in an event situation. Twelve points have been covered so far, and we are in the midst of the thirteenth– economics.

13. Economics– Single Most Likely Disaster Looming (continued)

Crisis Moment, Lost Confidence in Current Monetary Systems

We, as a people, are moving nearer that predictable crisis moment, when enough people will have lost confidence in the current local/global monetary systems, which are rapidly losing value and credibility as a sure and certain means of transferring value for value. That’ll be a dangerous day, when currency is no longer trusted as the intermediary means of giving payment for goods and services received.

It will be that never-to-be-forgotten day when angry people line up at the doors of banks in the early dawn and impatiently wait to go in and withdraw their savings and to close their checking account. On that final day they may find the bank doors remained locked, their money gone forever, and the police have come to keep the peace and guard the cold closed bank doors. That will be their final day of happy ignorance of the reality of not being prepared.

Unprepared Will Remember You Are Prepared and Want Help

That is the day those unprepared will remember that they used to know someone who talked just a little about preparedness. Some might remember that you are most likely to be prepared, and they will want you to help them survive their lack of preparation and ignorance. Be warned.

Continue reading““Inclusive” Strategic Planning As Part Of Everyday Environment- Part 5, by Old Bobbert”

The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods:

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SurvivalBlog presents another edition of The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods— a collection of news bits and pieces that are relevant to the modern survivalist and prepper from “HJL”. Hollywood can’t quite understand the rule of consequences in today’s lead article.

Hollywood Put to the Test

Those famous and influential people (though know one quite know why they are) who always advocate that you give your money to the government to manage homelessness are now being put to the test. Los Angeles is now grappling with a homeless epidemic. The city has budgeted over $100 million for affordable housing, addiction treatment, job placement and mental health services and can’t seem to understand why the homeless population is increasing instead of decreasing. Of course the average home price is $1.9 million and the residents are showing exasperation and sometimes outright disdain for the transient population. It is almost humorous to see how poorly these rich and famous people can think through consequences. Thanks to reader P. for the link.

Founding Fathers and Gun Control

Reader T.J. sent in this video on why our fathers were against gun control and why you should be too. Prior to the late 1800s there just wasn’t any attempts at gun control on a large scale. As Henrichs points out, the founding fathers understood the saying regarding gun control laws: “Good men don’t need them and bad men won’t follow them.” They had a vision of a free, stable society that was predicated on freedom. Gun control, by it’s very nature, is government limiting your options. That basically means that when the government passes laws that limit your choice, government power increases and individual liberty decreases – the exact opposite of what they wanted.

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