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”. Apparently tourists to San Franciso are commonly asking the question “Am I in the bad part of town?” as the homelessness and drug problems are overwhelming the city.

Deep Video

Reader P. sent in this article on a new software that specializes in mapping the facial expressions and mouth movements of one video source onto a second target. We’ve seen software like this before, but the results would only pass a cursory review. Inspection of the video almost always reveals flaws that leads your brain into realizing that the video has been faked. This one is different though. Rather than using a single background frame from the second target, it uses a high count to render the render the video and the results are scary. With this video, you can literally have any person saying anything you want. The results are so good, I would expect face videos to become common place in the near future.

Google is a Monopoly

Google is more than just the 800 lb gorilla when it comes to several markets. Take search and advertising for example. Bing, Google’s closest competitor has only 2% of the market while Google has over 90%. Google also controls over 60% of the global Internet advertising revenue and one of the primary reasons others can’t compete is because they don’t have the user data Google has. There is even evidence that Android bypasses the user’s privacy settings and tracks location by using cell tower connections rather than GPS data. While it’s not the sole threat to privacy, it is one of the largest. For you own protection, you should avoid all things Google (Android, Chrome, Search, Docs, et cetera). Thanks to DSV for the link.

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

Preparedness Notes for Saturday – June 16, 2018

On June 16, 1896, the people of Japan awoke to find that many of their friends, neighbors, and family had perished in the night due to a tsunami. A disturbance in the Japan Trench resulted in an earthquake that reached 7.6 on the Richter scale. This caused a large displacement of water, which caused the tsunami to hit Japan about 20 minutes later. In some places, the wave may have reached up to 115 feet high. Entire villages along the coast were washed away. However, fishermen at sea and those living several miles inland had no idea that anything had happened until morning, when they found the coast line destroyed with wreckage and corpses littering the beach. Estimates put the death toll somewhere between 22,000 and 27,000 people.

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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.

Traveling to Your Safe Haven During a WROL Event- Part 3, by E.P.

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In the first two parts of this article series, we have been talking about traveling to your safe haven during a without rule of law event. Part 2 began the overview on traveling by vehicle. We left off with discussion about roadblocks and multiple cars traveling a good distance apart so that the lead car could make a three-point turn in the reverse direction and warn the other cars in advance of a roadblock. Let’s continue with this scenario.

Over-watch Team Defending the Lead Vehicle

Now is the time for the first vehicle to better assess the situation and report. The second vehicle should immediately pull over as well, maintaining the 100 yard (night)/150 yard (day) separation (maybe even farther depending on your team’s abilities). The over-watch team in the second vehicle should deploy and take up positions that are adequate to support the lead vehicle. All other vehicles should pull over. It may be advisable for these vehicles to group closer together back along the road and maintain a defensive rear guard.

At this point the lead vehicle should report back to the leadership and request instructions, which might be to retreat or otherwise. One question will have to be answered quickly; is the roadblock hostile? Almost by definition, every roadblock is hostile. After all, it’s a roadblock. Those manning the roadblock want to halt your progress. Maybe they will take your supplies, firearms, vehicles, and let you live. That’s doubtful.

Leadership’s SOP Guidance

This is a good time to revert back to your leadership’s SOP guidance. A reasonable assumption is that the roadblock is hostile. If so, how many are manning the roadblock? What’s beyond the roadblock? Is it a city, a small town, reserve hostile forces? There is no good answer absent prior intelligence on the area.

Continue reading“Traveling to Your Safe Haven During a WROL Event- Part 3, by E.P.”

Editors’ Prepping Progress

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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!

JWR

Dear SurvivalBlog Readers:

This week we had a house guest. We toured him around and took hikes for several days. He is from a foreign country where their citizenry has only limited access to guns. (Only one gun per permit holder. His is a Glock 19.) So we did a lot of target shooting with a half dozen guns. That was also a good refresher for me and my wife. Our guest was thrilled to be able to shoot some guns that were unavailable to him at home. For instance, he had never shot an AK pattern rifle or a .45 ACP Glock. I sent him home with the gift of a Zacchaeus mini holster for his Glock.

I did a bit more firewood cutting and hauling. I also did some rototilling for Avalanche Lily.

Another minor project was replacing a GFI electrical outlet.  Thankfully, I keep a few spares on hand.  The weather forecast looks good for this coming week, so I’m hoping to accomplish a lot out in our woodlot.

Continue reading“Editors’ Prepping Progress”

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”. A new strain of the bird flu is causing concern.

Field Day

Survivalists and preppers concerned about communications when TEOTWAWKI happens should be aware that the 2018 Ham Radio Field Day is rapidly approaching. June 23rd and 24th are the dates that hams turn out in droves to set up emergency communication sites and practice their skills. If you’ve never actually talked on a radio, this is your opportunity to meet the hams in your area, actually talk on a radio and have someone walk you through the process. The hams will gladly get you started, teaching you what to say and when so you can get the feel for the whole process.

Doctors Without Wisdom

Despite that the actual data from the CDC’s own data shows a significant decline in gun related violence, the American medical Association (AMA) has decided to weigh in on the imaginary debate. Reader D.S. sent in this article that shows the AMA is actually demanding worse gun control measures than most gun control groups. They are demanding outright banning and confiscation of certain evil looking firearms along with demanding a national gun licensing and registration process. They don’t have any data that backs up their claims, but your supposed to believe that the emotional appeal is all that is necessary.

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

The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“If ye will fear the Lord, and serve him, and obey his voice, and not rebel against the commandment of the Lord, then shall both ye and also the king that reigneth over you continue following the Lord your God: but if ye will not obey the voice of the Lord, but rebel against the commandment of the Lord, then shall the hand of the Lord be against you, as it was against your fathers.” – 1 Samuel 12:14-15 (KJV)

Preparedness Notes for Friday – June 15, 2018

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Following a revolt by the English nobility against his rule, King John put his royal seal on the Magna Carta, or “Great Charter” on this day in 1215AD. This document, essentially a peace treaty between John and his barons, guaranteed that the king would respect feudal rights and privileges, uphold the freedom of the church, and maintain the nation’s laws. Although it was more a reactionary than a progressive document, the Magna Carta was seen as a cornerstone in the development of democratic England by later generations.

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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.

Traveling to Your Safe Haven During a WROL Event- Part 2, by E.P.

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Yesterday, we began this article series on traveling to your safe haven during a without rule of law event. We touched on two major issues. These issues involved how to identify and communicate a WROL event within your group, unite your team’s commitment to its mission through a mission statement as well as agreement upon standard operating procedures and rules of engagement.

Issue 3: Traveling by Vehicle, Standard Operating Procedures

First things first. The suggestions below are just my opinion based on experimentation with several groups over a period of years. Use them as a starting point for your group’s discussions, or don’t use them at all. You may want to handle things differently. That’s fine. Only you and your team know your final location and what you may expect during the trip.

Moving Large Numbers With Least Amount of Casualties

You will be most vulnerable traveling in a vehicle during an WROL event. Unlike a military maneuver, where hardened vehicles and air support are readily available, there will be no resupply or medical evacuation. For these reasons, the discussion below focuses on moving a large number of civilians by road to a safe haven with the least amount of casualties.

When To Travel

When to travel? Experience tells us it’s probably safer for the group to travel at night and to begin traveling late in the evening. If you must leave during the day, drive to a safe location, a group rally point, and wait for other group vehicles. When your allotted group has assembled, begin the drive in earnest at night. This intermediate safe location could be an initial rally point for the group.

Continue reading“Traveling to Your Safe Haven During a WROL Event- Part 2, by E.P.”

Economics & Investing For Preppers

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 China’s “One Belt, One Road” highway project. (See the Economy and Finance section.)

Precious Metals:

Lew Rockwell: Texas Bullion Depository Open for Business; Sets the Stage to Challenge Federal Government’s Monopoly on Money

o  o  o

John Rubino: Inflation Is Back, Part 7: Just Check Out This Chart

 

Forex:

The Venezuelan Bolivar is now valued somewhere below an equal lineal measurement of New Jersey Turnpike rest stop toilet paper.

o  o  o

What is a ‘Forex Hedge’?

o  o  o

Know When to Buy or Sell a Currency Pair

Continue reading“Economics & Investing For Preppers”

The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

1

“The key is to understand that our children don’t belong to us—they belong to God. Our goal as parents must not be limited by our own vision. I am a finite, sinful, selfish man. Why would I want to plan out my children’s future when I can entrust them to the infinite, omnipotent, immutable, sovereign Lord of the universe? I don’t want to tell God what to do with my children—I want Him to tell me!” – Rev. Voddie T. Baucham Jr. in his book Family Driven Faith: Doing What It Takes to Raise Sons and Daughters Who Walk with God

Preparedness Notes for Thursday – June 14, 2018

During the American Revolution, the Continental Congress adopted a resolution on June 14th, 1777, stating that “the flag of the United States be thirteen alternate stripes red and white” and that “the Union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new Constellation.” The national flag, which became known as the “Stars and Stripes,” was based on the “Grand Union” flag– a banner carried by the Continental Army in 1776 that also consisted of 13 red and white stripes.

o o o

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.

Traveling to Your Safe Haven During a WROL Event- Part 1, by E.P.

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This article will provide general guidance and a few specific examples on getting your team to your safe haven destination during a “Without Rule of Law” (WROL) event in one piece. I am an engineer and a lawyer by trade. In my 20+ years of prepping, I have come across few fellow preppers with a well thought out plan for traveling to their bug out location during a WROL event.

I have an important note at the outset. With respect to all of the comments below, it is assumed a WROL event has occurred. Most of us are well on their way to acquiring enough ammunition, firearms, food, water, medical supplies, et cetera for facing a WROL event. On the other hand, preparing the group for moving to the safe location seems to be one of the last issues addressed.

Anything That Attempts to Interfere With Mission Should Be Considered Hostile

Why is this assumption important? It’s important because some of the suggestions will force you and your team to think outside the box and challenge how you perceive and interact with authority figures and governmental entities when all hell breaks loose. Simply put, during a WROL event anyone or anything that attempts to interfere with your mission, making it to the safe haven, should be considered hostile. Only you and your group can decide how best to respond to hostile intent in a WROL condition.

Continue reading“Traveling to Your Safe Haven During a WROL Event- Part 1, by E.P.”

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”. The main stream media continues their propaganda with the Las Vegas Die In this week.

Las Vegas Die In

Reader J.H. sent in the photo today that he took while passing by the protest along with this comment:

Wanted to be the first to get the word out the Las Vegas Die In today was attended by 12 people. The media crowded them all together with their signs touching. The local station promoted as if 1000s attended the Die in. The Muslim girl speaking was talking just fine to everyone standing around. She was the spokeswoman and once she took to the mike “all tears broke loose” and she laid on the cry baby voice with it cracking at the proper words. Just for added effect.

There were more media personnel attending (in the background not in picture) than the actual protesters. Talk about pushing a narrative. When the March for Life pushed out 200,000 who traveled to DC there was no coverage on that number by MSM. We need to be careful about keeping these media orchestrated leftist agendas exposed.

Role of Militias

Reader T.J. sent in this article from Forward Observer on the role that Militias might be playing in the “coming unpleasantness”. Samuel Culper has continued to talk about creating an intelligence network in your local community along with creating a community security plan. He states “…if we can’t secure our communities, then we don’t stand a chance at securing our counties, states, and regions, either.” Of note is the concept that a militia is not really concerned about removing a host nation’s government, but about seeking to protect and secure it’s own interests or autonomy. It will be the role of the militias to uphold the law, not devolve into organized crime. There are other worthwhile conclusions in this article as well.

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