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 Tool Organization. (See the Gear section.)  But, first a much more pressing concern:

 

Communications Gear  — Import Banned!:

Back in August, I warned SurvivalBlog readers about an upcoming FCC rules change.  Well, the ban did indeed arrive, on Monday. As of September 24th, 2018, the FCC banned the importation of some quite capable dual band models of inexpensive Baofeng ham radio handie-talkies:

     FCC Enforcement Advisory No. 2018-03

Because of this new FCC “enforcement advisory” ban, I predict that fewer and fewer these particular hand-held ham radios will clear Customs. Then, Amazon and eBay listings for them will soon disappear, probably in just a few weeks. The window of opportunity is closing quickly, folks!  Note that no license is required to buy these radios.

I strongly recommend that SurvivalBlog readers stock up on these dual band radios, NOW, while there are still some available at a reasonable price! Grab a five-pack, or perhaps two five-packs, so that you will have some extras available to trade at a later date.  Remember:  “Buy low, and sell high.”  As I’ve described in detail in the blog before: Bans almost always lead to higher prices!

 

 

Books:

U.S. Taxes For Worldly Americans: The Traveling Expat’s Guide to Living, Working, and Staying Tax Compliant Abroad

o  o  o

The World’s Best Tax Havens: How to Cut Your Taxes to Zero & Safeguard Your Financial Freedom

o  o  o

Becoming an Expat Ecuador: 2nd Edition (Volume 6)

o  o  o

Philippines Expat Advisor: Move to the Philippines Faster & Cheaper

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The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

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“Fundamental Rights are those rights that we can derive from a universal non-conflicting criteria that allows all men to exercise their maximum free will without infringing on others rights, equally claimed, nor forcing others to serve their needs. These non conflicting rights are inviolable, and superior to all forms of human government, and therefore not subject to political confirmation. This is a radically new concept to those schooled to believe that the highest form of justice comes by democratic means. It becomes clear, under the concept of “inviolable rights” that fundamental rights should never be subject to ratification, even in a constitution, though they should be recognized and referred to by it. To do so would subordinate one’s fundamental rights to the will of a majority–those who will vote for such fundamental rights, or worse yet, to deny them legal status by voting against them. ” – Joel Skousen, author of: Strategic Relocation: North American Guide to Safe Places

Should We Brace for Severe Winters Ahead?

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You may have missed a few brief mentions of an emerging threat in the mainstream news: The face of the sun has gone mostly blank in the past few years, with an extremely low number of sunspots. There have only been sunspots visible on the the sun for 133 days in the past year. The last three solar cycles have become progressively weaker. There is now a legitimate concern that because there have been several very weak solar cycles in succession, that we could tip over into another Grand Solar Minimum (GSM).

This potentially developing GSM could be something similar to the Maunder Minimum that lasted from 1645 to 1715. (Or even longer, depending the climatologist you consult.) In northern Europe, the Maunder Minimum was famous for decades of brutal winters in the deepest part of what is commonly called The Little Ice Age. This climate aberration caused huge crop failures that may have triggered or exacerbated the Anglo-Spanish War, the Second Northern War, the Austro-Turkish War, the War of Devolution, the Franco-Dutch War, two Russo-Turkish Wars, the Great Turkish War, the Nine Years War, and countless smaller civil wars and pillaging. Notably, the River Thames in England froze quite deeply, in 1677. (As shown in today’s illustration.) It was also during the Maunder Minimum that the Vikings abandoned all of their settlements in Greenland.

According to climate historian Dagomar DeGroot, the Maunder minimum had profound sociological, economic, and political effects. He wrote:  “As growing seasons shortened, food shortages spread, economies unraveled, and rebellions and revolutions were quick to follow. Cooling was not always the primary cause for contemporary disasters, but it often played an important role in exacerbating them.”

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SurvivalBlog’s News From The American Redoubt

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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  “Not in My Backyard” (NIMBY) neighbors.  (See the Region-Wide and Montana sections.)

 

Region-Wide

Newport smelter hearing draws skeptical crowd. (Both North Idaho and Eastern Washington residents seem alarmed.)

o o o

Radio Free Redoubt did a special show about the The Inland Northwest Preparedness Expo.

Idaho

A recent editorial: Have doubts that wolves are ravaging Idaho? Come see for yourselves

o o o

Boise mass stabbing suspect reaches out to officials from jail —again, prosecutors say

o o o

PHOTO: Idaho Boys Go to Great Lengths to Protect U.S. Flag

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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”.

Constitution Day

Reid Henrichs outlines some important things to remember about the Constitution on his September 17th vlog. On the 231st anniversary of the U.S. Constitution he reviewed the reasons the Constitution was put in place in the first place. It is not a document that gives the government power, but instead it limits what the government can do. This is a good review of why we have the constitution, but sadly, it is also a reminder of how far astray we have allowed the government to stray. thanks to reader T.J. for the link.

Flu Scare

As we move into what is traditionally called the flu season, reader H.L. sent in this link with an interesting take on the actions of the CDC and the media when it comes to flu vaccines. The vaccines are notorious in the ineffectiveness, yet the drum beat about getting your flu shot beats louder than ever. Only about 45% of the population actually gets one and every year we hear that that the vaccine isn’t really working, but you need to get one anyways. It’s tough for the average person to get through the marketing hype. This article presents some statistics that suggest you may not need one at all.

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

CRKT M16-04KS Folder, by Pat Cascio

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The M-16 line of knives has been in the CRKT lineup longer than most other knife designs, and this is for good reason. They are great knives, with that certain tactical look about them. Today, we look at one of the newest in this stable of folders– the CRKT M16-04KS.

CRKT Folders

I still remember sitting in the Columbia River Knife & Tool (CRKT) offices during one of my visits to their operation in the USA and spying some new folding knives that weren’t meant for public viewing. I was sitting on the desk of Rod Bremer, the (now) sole owner of CRKT. I think I caught Bremer by surprise with my keen eye and started to ask him about those new folders. Immediately I saw some potential in those folders for a few changes. I suggested that they offer these folders in different handle colors– red for fire/rescue personnel, OD green for military, blue for law enforcement, and also other colors. While it took two years for those changes to come about, they did. As I’ve learned, nothing moves fast in the cutlery industry. As a disclaimer, CRKT produces my own OC3 fixed blade fighting knife design. It took two years for this design to reach the market place. Did I mention that nothing moves fast in the cutlery industry? Yeah, I thought I did.

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Recipe of the Week: Mac and Cheese, by B.I.

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This is one of the kids favorites (Including the big kids over 40)

Ingredients:

  • 1 1/2 cups rotelle pasta
  • 4 tbs butter
  • 1/4 cup flour
  • 3 cups whole milk
  • 1 tsp mustard
  • 3/4 tsp salt
  • 3 tsp Tabasco sauce
  • 1 cup smooth melting shredded cheese (We like pepper jack)
  • 1 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/3 cup croutons
  • 2 tsp chili powder
  • 1/2 tsp ground pepper

Continue reading“Recipe of the Week: Mac and Cheese, by B.I.”

Economics & Investing For Preppers

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Here are the latest 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 JWR. (SurvivalBlog’s Founder and Senior Editor.) Today’s focus is on the long term prospects for Bitcoin. (See the Cryptos section.)

Precious Metals:

Bullish Or Bearish: Gold’s Next Trend Is Up To The Fed

o o o

Gold Speculators Added To Their Bets, Now Bearish For Six Straight Weeks

 

Stocks:

Dow hits another all-time high on mixed day for US stocks

o o o

Should Amazon Split in Two?

 

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The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“For more than six hundred years—that is, since the Magna Carta in 1215—there has been no clearer principle of English or American constitutional law, than that, in criminal cases, it is not only the right and duty of juries to judge, what are the facts, what is the law, and what was the moral intent of the accused; but that it is also their right, and their primary and paramount duty, to judge the justice of the law, and to hold all laws invalid, that are, in their opinion, unjust, oppressive, and all persons guiltless in violating, or resisting the execution of, such laws.” – Lysander Spooner, An Essay on the Trial by Jury (1852)

Preparedness Notes for Sunday – September 23, 2018

September 23, 1800 is the birthday of William McGuffey, a college president who is best known for writing the McGuffey Readers, the first widely used series of textbooks. It is estimated that at least 122 million copies of McGuffey Readers were sold between 1836 and 1960, placing its sales in a category with the Bible and Webster’s Dictionary.

Small Things Can Be Biggest Problems, by S.F.

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Several years ago, I used to be a regular contributor on SurvivalBlog. Then in 2011, I bought my dream property and began prepping in earnest.

It is completely off grid with spring-fed water, solar panels and propane generator for power, wood stove for heat, composting toilets, and satellite for Internet and phone. In that time I found that it was the small things that were the biggest problems.

Tick Season

During tick season, I’d have five ticks on me just from a moment in the garden. One bite got infected. My whole arm swelled up. If it were not for antibiotics, who knows what would have happened. Now, I wear white tickproof clothing into the garden during tick season and have plenty of tick tweezers handy.

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Letter Re: The New Urban Fortress, by M.H.

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The author of the “Urban Fortress – Part 1 & 2” wanted feedback:

Septic

Residential septic tanks are available in 1,000, 1,500, and 2,000 gallon sizes. Builders routinely install a 1,000-gallon tank. Two 2,000 gallon tanks are better: one connected only to toilets for sanitary material, and the other connected to everything else for “gray water,” each with independent leach fields, each leach field having 50-100% greater capacity than required for the projected load. (Research “septic system distribution boxes”.) Building plumbing should be designed to allow sanitary-only piping to be easily reconnected to the gray water piping in the event of sanitary system leach field failure.

Toilets should be cleaned only with isopropyl alcohol, not commercially available toilet cleaners, and the alcohol burned in the toilet rather than flushed. The only thing going into the sanitary septic tank should be liquid and solid sanitary waste, no soaps, detergents, or chemicals of any kind; all of that will kill the bacteria that digests the solid waste, resulting in faster accumulation of solid waste and shortening the time between pumpings. Periodic infusions of brewer’s yeast will aid in digestion of waste material in the tank. Tank should still be pumped out periodically, because digestion process is not 100% effective. The pump-out cycle will be dependent on sanitary system usage volume.

Continue reading“Letter Re: The New Urban Fortress, by M.H.”