Letter: Question on the Size of Your Prepping Group

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Hugh,

I recently came across a book called the 150-Strong: A Pathway To A Different Future written by a “Subsistence Engineer”– Rob O’Grady. The book author’s thesis is that there is a threshold in which human beings can maintain good relationships.

I believe that this holds some importance in a post-collapse civilization. For example, in my military unit of less than 150 members, I am able to personally connect with every member. Rank becomes somewhat irrelevant. At times we are friends unified towards a common cause. Most of the times we speak to each other on a first name basis. Things get done in a military manner. We talk of our families and our lives. There is something deeper to our bonds, regardless of rank.

In larger units, I have to rely on rank in entirety on building relationships for the majority. In past times I have become so out of touch with some of the officers that sometimes I only see them at special events. Despite the fact that many of these officers share much commonality with myself, in these units I feel you sometimes seem to need to pick and choose your friends, because of the sheer number of people. The situation becomes predatory for some, all about increasing your rank to get your voice heard.

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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”.

Heat and Drought

Noting that today is the anniversary of one of the worst grasshopper invasions in the U.S. ever, reader H.L. sent in this article showing that the heat and drought conditions in the U.S. are similar to those that occurred in the 1930s. Weather patterns like this haven’t been this widespread since the dust bowl of the 1930s. Almost the entire Southwest is in drought conditions with many farmers reporting that irrigation water has already been shut off. Agriculture production has been devastated and major lakes, rivers and streams are rapidly becoming dry. Even the wild horse populations are suffering because of the drought.

Power Grid

The Dragonfly group of Russian hackers began attacking the powergrids of American and European power companies in 2011 according to Symantec, but they went dark in 2014. The group had a three pronged approach: Phishing emails to senior employees, malware embedded in websites that employees visited, and fusing malicious code with common JavaScript software. While the hope had been that they disbanded, they simply retooled, but this time attacking primarily American targets. Now they are focused on reaching the operational side of the grid. malicious code is even embedded in employee resumes. The threat to the power grid is a real as ever according to Symantec. Thanks to P.M. for the link.

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The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“It is a fact that throughout human history humans have attempted to enslave one another.  So long as one can compel someone to work in some fashion that does not reflect economic pressures you can profit from this, and some percentage of people will.  That person or organization will succeed on a profit basis where others who do not adopt that policy will fail.  This inevitably encourages such behavior until only those who engage in it remain in business!

As such the only constraint on such behavior is laws that are actually enforced so that the cost of such behavior is higher than the benefit.” – Karl Denninger

Preparedness Notes for Wednesday – July 25, 2018

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On this day in 1897, Jack London sailed for the Klondike. While in the Klondike, London began submitting stories to magazines. In 1900, his first collection of stories, The Son of the Wolf, was published. Three years later, his story The Call of the Wild made him famous around the country. London continued to write stories of adventure amid the harsh natural elements. During his 17-year career, he wrote 50 fiction and nonfiction books. He settled in northern California about 1911, having already written most of his best work. London, a heavy drinker, died in 1916.

Guest Article: Central Banks Are Using The Trade War To Hide Their Direct Influence On Stocks, by Brandon Smith

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There has been a lot of confusion lately in the mainstream economic media as well as in independent media circles as to the behavior of stock markets in the wake of the recently initiated global trade war. In particular, stocks suffered one of the longest runs of negative days in their history in June, only to then spike just after Donald Trump “officially” began trade war tariffs in July. The expectation by many was that the headlines would cause an immediate and continued downturn in equities markets, but this was not the case. Many analysts have been left bewildered.

This is an issue I have touched on multiple times since the beginning of this year, and it is something I predicted long before Trump’s election in 2016. But it is obvious that the schizophrenic nature of stocks needs to be addressed in a very concise, no-holds-barred fashion, because there are still far too many people who are looking at all the wrong causes and correlations.

First, let’s be clear: stock markets are NOT tracking the news headlines. The past month should have proved this if there was any previous doubt.

It is hard for investors and some analysts to grasp this fact, primarily because for at least the past few years it appeared as though stock markets were utterly dictated by headlines out of Bloomberg, Reuters and other mainstream media outlets. Once investors and analysts became used to this narrative it was difficult for them to adapt when the dynamic changed. They are still living in the past based on an assumption that was never quite correct to begin with.

Continue reading“Guest Article: Central Banks Are Using The Trade War To Hide Their Direct Influence On Stocks, by Brandon Smith”

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 Indian government’s war on gold.

 

Precious Metals (War On Gold):

First up, at The Economic Times of India: Gold can be best viewed as alternate currency, not investment

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Also from The Economic Times of India: Gold imports dip 31.25% during April-May 2018-19: Government. JWR’s Comments: That figure is for reported gold imports. The black market import and export of gold in India is big, and getting bigger. This is an escalation of the Indian government’s long-running war on gold. (They foolishly look at private gold accumulation of gold as a “drain” on the economy.) Whenever a government attempts to control or tax free markets, people understandably will seek alternative channels of trade.

 

Commodities:

Is The Oil World In Panic Mode?

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WSJ: 2.5 Billion Pounds of Meat Piles Up in U.S. as Production Grows, Exports Slow. JWR’s Comment: Wait for sale prices and then freeze some, but mostly can it, cure it, make jerky or make biltong!
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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 Storage Totes. (See the Gear and Grub section.)

Books:

Published this year: You Can Farm, by Joel Salatin

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Strategic Relocation: North American Guide to Safe Places, 3rd Edition – By Joel Skousen

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The High Security Shelter – How to Implement a Multi-Purpose Safe Room in the Home, 5th Edition (2017) – By Joel Skousen

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Also available as an audiobook (by JWR): How to Survive the End of the World as We Know It: Tactics, Techniques and Technologies for Uncertain Times

 

Movies:

How It Ends. This is a quite passable “end of the world” disaster film. Despite some Hollywood cliches and plenty of dramatic Canadian scenery supposedly standing in for Idaho, it was worth watching. Available via free streaming for those with Netflix.

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Gran Torino. Available on DVD or via free streaming for those with Amazon Prime.

 

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The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

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“As to the position that ‘the people always mean well,’ that they always mean to say and do what they believe to be right and just – it may be popular, but it can not be true. The word people applies to all the individual inhabitants of a country. . . . That portion of them who individually mean well never was, nor until the millennium will be, considerable. Pure democracy, like pure rum, easily produces intoxication and with it a thousand pranks and fooleries. I do not expect mankind will, before the millennium, be what they ought to be and therefore, in my opinion, every political theory which does not regard them as being what they are, will prove abortive. Yet I wish to see all unjust and unnecessary discriminations everywhere abolished, and that the time may come when all our inhabitants of every color and discrimination shall be free and equal partakers of our political liberties.” – John Jay

Preparedness Notes for Tuesday – July 24, 2018

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July 24 – The late Jerry Ahern passed away on this day, July 24th, in 2012. He is missed.

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SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

Today features another entry for Round 77 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. Two cases of Meals, Ready to Eat (MREs), courtesy of CampingSurvival.com (a $180 value), and
  8. 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 transferable certificate for a two-day Ultimate Bug Out Course from Florida Firearms Training (a $400 value),
  5. A Three-Day Deluxe Emergency Kit from Emergency Essentials (a $190 value),
  6. A $200 gift certificate good towards any books published by PrepperPress.com,
  7. RepackBox is providing a $300 gift certificate to their site.

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, and
  6. 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).

Round 77 ends on July 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.

Get Out of the Cities, NOW, By W.J.

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What’s the rush? Why should we move away from the comforts of our cities? Meteorites, that’s why. Yes, according to the words of Jesus Himself, asteroids from outer space will be targeting the immoral cities of our land.

Vulnerable To Fireballs

But before we look at what Jesus said, let’s first notice just how vulnerable we are to these fireballs from heaven:

Nightly News – March 3, 2017 “Earth weathers an asteroid near-miss: An asteroid roughly the size of a ten-story building came within 45,000 miles of Earth–too close for comfort. NBC’s Brian Williams reports.”

Go to SpaceWeather.com. Then, scroll down to “Near Earth Asteroids”, and you will see just how many “Potentially Hazardous Asteroids” we face for that current calendar day.

“This main asteroid belt holds more than 200 asteroids larger than 60 miles (100 km) in diameter. Scientists estimate the asteroid belt also contains between 1.1 million and 1.9 million asteroids larger than 1 km (3,281 feet) in diameter and millions of smaller ones.”

 

Continue reading“Get Out of the Cities, NOW, By W.J.”

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 gun vault and safe room/panic room/bunker door manufacturers in The American Redoubt. There are vault manufacturer and sales links included in several sections.

Region-Wide

It’s official- Amazon is building a fulfillment center in Spokane. That will hopefully speed deliveries in the Redoubt region.

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First Interstate Bank to Partner with INB
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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”. Ebola is back in the news this week.

Power Grid

The California power grid is urging consumers to conserve energy in this heat wave that is hitting the western United States. With temperatures in the 100+ range, people are demanding more from their air-conditioning and the grid is stressed. Southern California Gas Company has already issued alerts letting people know that there may be gas shortages as the send more gas to electrical generators. The warning is that if the grid is stressed to much, it will result in brownouts or blackouts for much of California. Gas producers may also have to tap reserves which could mean trouble this winter. As an aside, Valley Food Storage has an article on “10 Ways to Stay Cool Without Power” that you may want to read if you are in an affected area. Thanks to G.P. for the link.

Ol’ Remus on Democratic Socialism

Ol’ Remus pontificates on the rise of Democratic Socialism in the United States in his latest blog entry. In his traditional “calling it like it is” style, he suggests that the reader ad Alinsky’s Rules for Radicals to their reading list as the socialists are following it nearly verbatim. He notes specifically these two rules:

  • Power is not only what you have, but what the enemy thinks you have
  • The threat is more terrifying than the thing itself

He also notes that the U.S. has basically been under Communist rule for decades with the socialists having achieved practically all of their goals. There is also a good update to the chipped tire article in this issue. Thanks to JMC for the link.

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The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

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“Writing a book is an adventure. To begin with it is a toy then an amusement. Then it becomes a mistress, and then it becomes a master, and then it becomes a tyrant and, in the last stage, just as you are about to be reconciled to your servitude, you kill the monster and fling him to the public.” – Winston Churchill

SOG Knives, Baton Q1 and Q2, by Pat Cascio

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Multi-tools are some of the handiest types of tools to have on hand at all times. Today, we’re checking out two very unique designs by SOG Knives.

The Swiss Army Knife

No doubt, when it comes to multi-tools, it seems like everyone points to the Swiss Army Knife. There are actually two companies that produce these knives, well those officially licensed to do so, that is. And, while they are a good idea and a good design, I’ve yet to have a genuine Swiss Army Knife or one of the poorly made clones that didn’t break on me when put to real-life use. In my opinion, they are made for very light repairs. Use them for anything more than that and they break. Plus, for the life of me, I don’t understand why the Swiss Army Knives comes with a very dull blade. What’s so hard about putting a working edge on a knife so it will readily cut?

Some Traditional Multi-Tools

Many people look at some of the many more traditional multi-tools that are on the market today. There are some outstanding models out there. I’ve been carrying my favorite from Leatherman for years now. Sadly, it is a long-discontinued model called the Blast. However, they have many models from which to choose. Plus, SOG Knives produces many outstanding traditional multi-tools that are equally up to my high standards, as far as multi-tools go. So, there’s something for everyone when it comes to the more traditional versions of multi-tools.

Continue reading“SOG Knives, Baton Q1 and Q2, by Pat Cascio”