Continue reading“Recipe of the Week: Creole Chicken, by J.B.”
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 precious and base metals.
Reader D.S.V. suggested this piece by Clint Siegner: A Bargain Hunter’s Delight
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It Costs Seven Cents to Make a Nickel, So the U.S. Mint Had a Computer Simulate Cheaper Coins
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Reuters: Base metals hit multi-month lows on trade war fears
Bitcoin bloodbath nears dot-com levels as many tokens go to zero.
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“As for man, there is little reason to think that he can in the long run escape the fate of other creatures, and if there is a biological law of flux and reflux, his situation is now a highly perilous one. During ten thousand years his numbers have been on the upgrade in spite of wars, pestilences, and famines. This increase in population has become more and more rapid. Biologically, man has for too long a time been rolling an uninterrupted run of sevens.” – George R. Stewart, Earth Abides
July 1st, 1863 is the anniversary of the beginning of the Civil War Battle of Gettysburg.
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James Wesley, Rawles just announced that he has some personally signed hardback copies of the last novel in the Patriots series, titled “Liberators”. For this round of the SurvivalBlog writing contest, the writer of any entry who wins Honorable Mention will also receive one of these autographed novels. (In addition to a $30 Amazon gift card.) Now is a great time to get your project written up and submitted to us!
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This has been another entry for Round 77 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The nearly $11,000 worth of prizes for this round include:
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.
I wanted to respond to a number of comments and a few misconceptions regarding my article, “Traveling to Your Safe Haven During a WROL Event.” There are several things that I want to address.
First, let me address the meaning of “Without Rule of Law” (WROL). I thought the common usage of these words alone provided a straightforward definition. To me it means a situation where a legitimate government no longer exists such that the rule of law (statutes, rules, and regulations) cannot be enforced and disputes cannot be fairly adjudicated. In short, there is no law to break or enforce, and no reasonable enforcement potential through the courts. You are on your own. To the extent someone or some group attempts to control your actions, they have no legal, moral, or ethical justification for doing so. The only justification they may offer is pure force. It’s a case of “might makes right”.
My article began with the expressed premise that all comments were addressed to a WROL event. As such, to the extent anyone suggested that I was inciting illegal activity, by definition that is impossible. To those that adhere to that position I would recommend rereading the first few paragraphs of part 1, where this premise is clearly spelled out for this very reason. I don’t mind arguing over positions. But, I think it’s essential to agree on the basic facts. My comments only applied to a WROL event, and that is an undisputed fact.
Others have commented that many of the recommendations required extensive training. In my prior group, this was indeed the case. In fact, because we lost a few core members along the way, we were unable to maintain a core group of individuals with the necessary experience and dedication to undertake such processes. This is one reason I left the group and began a reevaluation of my preparation needs and capabilities.
Continue reading“Traveling to Your Safe Haven During a WROL Event Addendum, by E.P.”
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”. The TSA is at it again. Just when you thought it couldn’t get any worse, this utterly useless agency has found yet another way to annoy travelers.
My favorite crazy knife maker, kiwami japan has released yet another knife manufacturing video. This one is made from a plastic coke bottle. This one was quite a bit easier to make than some of his previous knives, but still rates right about in the middle for sharpness. I do wish he would include how many hours it took him to make the knife in his description though. His sharpening methods are always manual and produce very uniform and beautiful results.
As a bonus, he has started to include little tips and easy gadgets to make certain tasks easier. The one included in this video is how to modify a cardboard parchment paper dispenser to dispense the paper and at the same time get rid of the “curl” that drives everyone crazy.
First it was your laptops and phones, then it was your liquids and your shoes. Now, the TSA wants your snacks. Despite not being part of the agency’s standard procedures, a recommendation issued by the agency last year is gaining steam. Many screening check points now require you to remove your snacks from your carry on luggage and place them in a separate bin. It should be noted that despite treating every passenger as a criminal, the TSA has a horrible track record for the exact task they are supposed to carry out. Study after study shows how easily contraband makes it past the screeners, Yet in their entire existence, not one terrorist plot has been foiled by their actions. This may actually be the one agency that is less desirable than the BATF. Thanks to DSV for the link.
“Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.” – 1 Corinthians 1:25 (KJV)
June 30th is the first anniversary of the tragic death of 19 hotshots in the Yarnell Hill Fire. (In 2013.)
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:
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.
I have some sad news: Mama Liberty, a friend here in the Redoubt, has posted word in The Price of Liberty blog that she is dying of an aggressive cancer, and that she will no longer be blogging. Please, please pray for complete healing for her. And if it is not God’s will that she be healed, pray that she should be granted comfort, strength, and peace in her final months on this mortal coil.
Mama Liberty has fought the good fight for individual liberty for many years. Her wise writings have had a galvanizing effect on American Patriots. Many of her blog posts (since 2003) are some of the best and most succinct libertarian essays that I’ve ever read. Like the words of all great writers, her writings will long out-live her.
I have deep respect for Mama Liberty, her writings, and how she firmly stood her ground. She is genuinely deserving of our prayers. Please read this Psalm and fervently and regularly pray for her:
Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!
For he hath broken the gates of brass, and cut the bars of iron in sunder.
Fools because of their transgression, and because of their iniquities, are afflicted.
Their soul abhorreth all manner of meat; and they draw near unto the gates of death.
Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he saveth them out of their distresses.
He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.
Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!
And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing. – Psalm 107:15-22 (KJV)
Please delve into the archives of her posts. Here is just one pithy example: The Free Cheese.
To send her a note of encouragement and thanks for her excellent work, you may use this address: mamaliberty@rtconnect.net
My Thanks To You, – JWR
A recent trip 900 miles from home got me to thinking about what I’d face if the EMP/Solar Flare hit while I was that far away. As a result, I began making plans and thinking through the details of getting back home when that far from home and alone. This is the final part of this article series.
Every activity throughout the day should be focused on securing food, water, and shelter. You are in hunter-gatherer mode, and you need to behave accordingly, if you are going to make it.
Pay particular attention to your feet. Change your socks, use foot powder, et cetera. If you can find a pair of cross trainers along the way, it wouldn’t be a bad thing. If you lose the ability to walk due to foot injuries, you are as good as dead.
Remember resources are now extremely limited, so conserve and use as little as possible. Once you are out of something, you have to assume that you are out of it permanently.
Continue reading“Getting Home Long Distance in the Event of An EMP/Solar Flare- Part 3, by B.M.”
To be prepared for a crisis, every Prepper must establish goals and make long-term and short-term plans. Steadily, we work on meeting our prepping goals. In this column, the SurvivalBlog editors review their week’s prep activities. They also often share their planned prep activities for the coming week. These range from healthcare and gear purchases to gardening, property improvements, 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 the Comments. Let’s keep busy and be ready!
Dear SurvivalBlog Readers:
It was a busy yet quiet week here at the ranch. I made some major progress on getting in our firewood for next winter. As it now stands, I’ve worked us up to a reserve of an extra 15 cords. That provides a comfortable margin, just in case of a future injury or perhaps a volcanically-induced year or two “without a summer“.
My work in the woodlot ate up most of my non-sleeping and non-writing hours. I also helped Avalanche Lily by hauling some compost material to the main garden. I wish that I had something more exciting to mention, but 90% of family preparedness is just plain old repetitive hard work and practice.
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”. Sending authorities into a tizzy, our favorite knife maker is at it again with a cardboard knife.
Our favorite crazy knife maker is back at it again. This time, the knife is made from Amazon cardboard boxes. As usual, the maker takes you through the process from creating the knife from the raw materials, through sharpening and then using it. Since it is cardboard and the very act of using it will create the conditions to destroy it (moisture) the maker does have to us a wax protectant on it. As usual, the whole process is fascinating. This knife is rated relatively low on his scale of ability to be sharpened, but is still quite usable. This guy must be Britain’s nightmare.
Renegade cops in Ashland City, Tennessee, have been arrested for the tasing torture of an 18 year old man. The man had been arrested on drug related charges and had somewhat of a mental breakdown in jail. The officers decided to use tasing torture, tasing him multiple times while he was strapped to a chair and gagged. At one point, he is tased for over 30 seconds. This is a prime example of jack-booted tactics in a police state. While the officers are being charged, probably because there is hard video evidence of the session, they have both plead not guilty and have been released with no bail. Again, an example of a police state. No regular citizen would have been released without bail in this situation. Thanks to H.L. for the link.
“Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.” – Psalm 95:2 (KJV)
On June 29th, 1941, the Germans invaded and occupied Lvov, in eastern Galicia, in Ukraine, slaughtering thousands of people. Russia followed a scorched earth policy as Germany invaded just as they had during Napoleon’s invasion. The burned, destroyed, flooded, dismantled and removed anything and everything in territory that they were forced to give up. As the Germans moved in, the Soviets proceeded to murder 3,000 Ukrainian political prisoners. It was so bad that the Germans were actually seen as liberators by the local population.
Sadly, within days, they were forced to endure the horrors of the Nazi regime as some 2.5 million Ukrainians were shipped to Germany as slave laborers and the Ukrainian Jews were subjected to the same vicious racial policies as in Poland. Over 600,000 were murdered. Even the Ukrainian nationalists participated in the bloodshed by scapegoating Jews for “Bolshevism” killing them in the streets.
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:
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.
A recent trip 900 miles from home got me to thinking about what I’d face if the EMP/Solar Flare hit while I was that far away. As a result, I began making plans and thinking through the details of getting back home when that far from home and alone. I’ve gone over the scenario and also how to travel without a vehicle, by bicycle or walking. Now, let’s get into some more details.
What clothing is needed will be unique to your locale. In my case, I traveled in convertible cargo shorts/pants, Merrill hiking shoes, good sturdy socks, underwear that helps prevent chafing, and a wick dry t-shirt that was oversized and black to break up print of my concealed weapon. I also keep an extra pair of cargo shorts in my bag. Your local environment will dictate your attire. My entire trip, the temperature was never lower than 85 degrees during the day and 75 at night.
Try to secure maps of the areas that you’ll have to travel through. The more detailed the map the better chance for rapid movement through the area. Maps will provide a guideline for your travels through areas; however, nothing replaces your eyes, ears, and other senses when you are traveling.
Continue reading“Getting Home Long Distance in the Event of An EMP/Solar Flare- Part 2, by B.M.”
