The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods:

23

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”. Smartphone security is in question again as the iPhone Security has apparently been breached in even the latest models.

Gun Confiscation in America

You have always known that the ultimate goal of gun control extremists is total gun confiscation. Chuck Baldwin writes about how the plan is not to control, but to prohibit private ownership of firearms. With the latest statement of Trump to “Take the guns first, go through due process second” you have to wonder if he even has a clue what the phrase “due process” is. Despite these words becoming a rallying cry for gun control proponents, the current Republican congress is holding Trump’s illogical thinking in check, at least in part. With mid-term elections on the horizon though, there is reason to be concerned.

Traditionally, the party in power loses seats in the mid-term elections. Imagine a Trump making statements like these along with his statements about signing anything Congress sends to him when Congress is held by the most radical, liberal party ever to hold significant power in the U.S.. Thanks to H.L. for the link.

iPhone Security

Reader D.B. sent in this article that outlines how Cellebrite, a company specializing in security is most likely able to unlock any iPhone. A warrant unearthed by Forbes shows that the U.S. government hired them to break into an iPhone X owned by Abdulmajid Saidi, a suspect in an arms trafficking case. Apparently, the data was successfully extracted. The details are not known, so we don’t know if Saidi didn’t have his phone properly locked or if Cellebrite can actually break the robust security on the iPhone X, but there is significant question as to your privacy on these devices. While we won’t condone the criminal activity that led the government to seek that data, it is concerning to us that anything you might keep on your phone can be accessed.

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

The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“And it came to pass, when the priests were come out of the holy place, that the cloud filled the house of the Lord, so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud: for the glory of the Lord had filled the house of the Lord.” – 1 Kings 8:10-11 (KJV)

Preparedness Notes for Friday – March 09, 2018

Today is the birthday of writer John McPhee (b. 1931), a master of creative nonfiction. One of McPhee’s most widely read books is Coming into the Country, which eloquently describes the Alaskan wilderness.

March 9th is the birthday of Cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin – the first man to ever travel in space. He was born in 1934 and died in the crash of a MiG-15-UTI fighter on March 27, 1968.

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SurvivalBlog 2005-2017 Archive Update

We now have another shipment of the SurvivalBlog Archive USB drives in stock. The first batch sold out in 8 days so if you want one, order early!

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SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

Today features another entry for Round 75 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 Trekker IV™ Four-Person Emergency Kit from Emergency Essentials (a $250 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 75 ends on March 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.

The Best Way To Keep The Family Fed On Any Budget, by Tennessee Bob

20

Many of us have already provided the basics for our families within a budget. These should include the basic necessities such as shelter, clothing, location, security, and most importantly a stable food supply.

Family’s Nutritional Needs

I’m sure many of us have already taken the necessary steps to insure our own family’s nutritional needs will be met. Stocking up on the basics, such as rice, beans, wheat, and vegetables in the form of dry goods, is an excellent first step. However, in a long-term grid down WTSHTF situation, you must anticipate disruptions in all forms especially food.

Problems with Livestock

Many of us have livestock or chickens. However, neither of these may represent viable solutions for those of us who may be required to hunker down in suburban America. Both cows and chickens have a long history of theft in America. Rustlers and chicken thieves can decimate a herd or flock in an extremely short time, leaving your loved ones with empty bellies.

Cows May Put You in Harm’s Way

Even a small herd of a few cows can place you in harm’s way, from a security standpoint. Additionally, these large animals represent high risk to high reward ratio. They require large amounts of food and significant security to protect your investment.

Continue reading“The Best Way To Keep The Family Fed On Any Budget, by Tennessee Bob”

Letter: Trade Deficits and Buying Locally

23

Hugh,

We are in the midst of an economic war. Our individual purchases count. There are so many trade deficits to foreign countries. We must look upon our individual purchases and avoid buying from other countries from now on. Our individual choices matter. Choose local. If you cannot, make and grow things on your own effort. Learn, adapt, and survive to the local environment.

We are in a war. Win.

What are your thoughts? God Bless – S.M.

Continue reading“Letter: Trade Deficits and Buying Locally”

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 Swiss Franc Hedging.

Precious Metals:

The spot price of silver has been remarkably stable for the past three years. I don’t expect much movement until there is either spike in interest rates, a credit crunch, or a currency crisis for either the US Dollar or the Euro. Investors should keep their perspective on what silver represents: A long term hedge on fiat currencies. And, as preppers, we need to recognize that small physical silver (1-ounce .999 fine trade rounds or circulated pre-1965 US. 90% silver dimes and quarters) will still be one of the best vehicles for practical barter in the midst of a crisis.

Forex:

I’m continuing some currency hedging comments I began last week:
I often mention the Swiss Franc (CHF) as a hedge, in SurvivalBlog. I still believe that it will be the most stable fiat currency in the next decade. One key advantage of the Swiss Franc is that you can get Swiss Franc bills in denominations up to 1000 CHF. This makes it a very compact currency to carry in a money belt when traveling. (More than 10 times more compact a form of portable wealth than carrying US $100 bills.)

You can buy Swiss Franc notes at Travelex stores at many international airports in the United States. They also deliver orders via FedEx, at extra cost. There are also companies that will sell you CHF-denominated travel cash cards that have no annual fee, and no expiry date. That is perhaps the most Gray Man method to carry a lot of CHF and not arouse suspicion when passing through border controls. This is because one these cards looks like “just another credit card.” But there is an even easier method that transcends national borders: Simply designate Swiss Francs (CHF) as a secondary currency for your PayPal account. (Once you’ve logged in, just click on “Money” and then click on “Currencies”.) You can then make a transfer from your positive PayPal balance from Dollars (USD) to CHF. As of the day that I’m writing this, $1,000 USD will buy you 911.56 CHF.

I first mentioned buying CHF in SurvivalBlog in 2011 when they cost just 79 cents each, in USD. (As Rush Limbaugh would say, “For those in Rio Linda, California”, the math here is a simple reciprocal: $1,000 USD in 2011 would have bought you around 1,200 CHF.) For what its worth, I expect the current Weak Dollar trend to continue for the rest of Trump’s stay in the White House.

Just be advised that PayPal will charge you a small cambio fee each time that you switch currencies. So don’t do this sort of trade casually with the funds that you will regularly need as operating capital. Ditto for buying Swiss Francs through any other method. One cambio bite of 1 to 2% is bad enough, but multiple bites are very painful.

Continue reading“Economics & Investing For Preppers”

The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

1

“I have little interest in streamlining government or in making it more efficient, for I mean to reduce its size. I do not undertake to promote welfare, for I propose to extend freedom. My aim is not to pass laws, but to repeal them. It is not to inaugurate new programs, but to cancel old ones that do violence to the Constitution, or that have failed their purpose, or that impose on the people an unwarranted financial burden. I will not attempt to discover whether legislation is “needed” before I have first determined whether it is constitutionally permissible. And if I should later be attacked for neglecting my constituents’ “interests,” I shall reply that I was informed that their main interest is liberty and that in that cause I am doing the very best I can.” – Senator Barry Goldwater

Preparedness Notes for Thursday – March 08, 2018

March 8th is the birthday of famed revolver shooter, big game hunter, and gun writer Elmer Keith, who co-designed the S&W .44 Magnum and .41 Magnum cartridges. He authored the book Sixguns, which is still considered a standard reference. His fascinating life story is told in his last book, Hell, I was there!. Keith spent the second half of his life on a ranch near Salmon, Idaho. (Keith was born in 1899 and died February 12, 1984.)

o o ovl

SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

Today features another entry for Round 75 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 Trekker IV™ Four-Person Emergency Kit from Emergency Essentials (a $250 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 75 ends on March 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 Decade of Propaganda: Great Britain and Germany, 1935- 1945- Part 2, by B.P.

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It is imperative for all citizens to have a knowledge of history and varied methodologies of propaganda. In any mode, to win the hearts and minds of people, a propaganda operation must present the information in a method that inspires and persuades the consumer. And we are looking at the propaganda that was utilized by Great Britain and Germany in the World War II era. Currently, in this article series, we have just covered the first of the seven domestic propaganda persuasion techniques– name calling. Now, let’s take a look at the remainder six of them.

Technique #2: Plain Folk

Widely known, by applying the “plain folk” method, one takes on the appearance of a commoner through verbal and non-verbal manners, out of efforts to blend in with the general masses. Nazi “politicians, labor leaders, business men, and even ministers” utilized the plain folk method to further their ability to gain the support and “confidence of the people” by seeming to have associated commonalities with them.[30]

Technique #3: Glittering Generalities

Less known, one employs “glittering generalities” to appeal “to [another’s] emotions of love, generosity, and brotherhood”. In this, the propagandist integrates well-meaning terms with which to associate the program.[31] For the Nazi’s, “the word Volk [meaning folk or people]” substituted for unification purposes.[32] With this method of persuasion, the Nazi party would incorporate the term “science” in order “to sanction practices, policies, beliefs, and races that it wanted approved”.[33] Of course, “only the conclusions of “German science” as approved by the Fuehrer may be accepted.”[34]

Continue reading“A Decade of Propaganda: Great Britain and Germany, 1935- 1945- Part 2, by B.P.”

Letter Re: Long-Term Caches

48

Dear SurvivalBlog,

I have searched your databases and even some youtube areas, but see much conflicting information. I was going to use a plastic bucket, but found out they are not rodent proof, so I am moving to the coated ammo cans. The primary question is regarding firearm storage. Some say to grease them, others don’t mention anything. Would putting them in a sealed bad work? I would think you might not have the time to clean a greased gun. What about storing any gun oil? I have also heard lighting a tea candle right before sealing it to get rid of any oxygen inside the container is a possibility. – Dan

Continue reading“Letter Re: Long-Term Caches”

The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods:

14

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”.  Today, the emphasis is on The Left’s War on Guns.

The Left’s War on Guns

The photo in this column was snapped by SurvivalBlog reader Michael P., at his local Publix chain supermarket. It shows that the store’s staff covered gun and prepper magazine covers as if they were some sort of shameful smut. That matches the mass media’s current tirade against the NRA, gun owners, and guns in general. Oh, and AR-15s in particular. Those “evil looking” black rifles just give the leftists fits of apoplexy. By demonizing guns, they are deepening the divide between the coastal Blue States and the interior Red States.

Lawsuit Over Age-Limit on Gun Sales

We’ve been expecting this one since Walmart and Dick’s Sporting Goods decided to arbitrarily raise the age requirement in order to purchase America’s most popular rifle. Both companies were trying to ride the political correctness wave by making their announcements after the Florida school shooting. I’m not quite sure why anyone would purchase firearms or ammunition from either company because this isn’t the first time they’ve done this.

It’s easy enough to use your local gun store and your dollars (albeit, usually slightly more of them) go to support a local company rather than a behemoth that cares nothing for your community. But, if the leftist/progressives can use the legal system to keep bakers in order, I guess conservative voices should be able to do the same thing to liberal run businesses. Thanks to D.B. for the link.

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

Preparedness Notes for Wednesday – March 07, 2018

1

March 7, 1707 was the birthday of Stephen Hopkins, former Governor of Rhode Island and one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence.

March 7, 1925 was the birthday of Rene Gagnon, a U.S. Marine who was seen in the famous photographs of the Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima. (He died in 1979.)

And March 7, 1944 was the birthday of Townes Van Zandt, a gifted Texan singer/songwriter. (He died in 1997.)

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SurvivalBlog Archive Update

We have another order of 2005-2017 SurvivalBlog Waterproof USB Archives that will be here soon, so keep watching the archive product page for details. In the meantime, we are hoping that you can help us sort out some confusion from the first batch of 1,000 USB sticks. We have:

  • Two orders waiting on checks,
  • Two checks that don’t seem to be attached to any order,
  • One check that has the wrong order number on it, and
  • One order that has been returned as undeliverable.

If you paid by check (or ordered intending to pay by check) and have not received your order or received an “order completed” message but no stick has arrived, then please contact us.

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SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

Today features another entry for Round 75 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 Trekker IV™ Four-Person Emergency Kit from Emergency Essentials (a $250 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 75 ends on March 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 Decade of Propaganda: Great Britain and Germany, 1935-1945 – Part 1, by B.P.

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As an United States citizen surviving in the modern era of propaganda, possessing the contextual knowledge of any situation, whether it be at the voting booth, in class, or church, or rebuilding after a collapse, places that citizen in an advantageous position. Thus, it is imperative for all citizens to have a knowledge of history and varied methodologies of propaganda.

Propaganda Leading Up to World War II

In any mode, to win the hearts and minds of people, a propaganda operation must present the information in a method that inspires and persuades the consumer. As propaganda production grew leading up to World War II, the world witnessed an intensification of such manipulating schemes.

Great Britain Instituted the British Broadcasting Company

In 1922, Great Britain instituted the British Broadcasting Company (BBC). The intent was to provide, “an informed and enlightened electorate”, via a modernized radio transmission system as a means to compete with outside influence.[1] By 1935, the British Ministry of Information added new, but classified, procedures to their directorate.[2] Additionally, alongside an enormous increase in cinema infrastructure, by 1940 the majority of the British populace tuned in on their radios for their daily dose of informative medication.[3] The British provide an example of a more democratic approach to propaganda policies.

Dissimilarly to the British, the Nazis exemplify the power that propaganda possesses. Arguably more successful, due to their propaganda methods providing the platform for the regime’s assent and continued control of the nation,[4] the Nazi’s incorporation of education into their propaganda apparatus and their superior use of symbols constituted for a more persistent outcome.

Continue reading“A Decade of Propaganda: Great Britain and Germany, 1935-1945 – Part 1, by B.P.”

Economics & Investing For Preppers

5

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 Free Ride”–wasteful government “programs” and policies.

Precious Metals:

First off, over at Wall Street Window: Fed Hikes, Dollar, and Gold – Adam Hamilton

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INTL FCStone: ‘Stronger Dollar Should Weigh On Gold’ In March

 

Stocks:

Global stocks plunge after Wall Street bloodbath. The Dow is now down around 8% from its all-time high. Just as I predicted, rising interest rates are what precipitated the plunge. To repeat my words of warning: Many stocks are still over-valued. Interest rates will probably continue to rise. So do some hedging and put stop-loss limits in place!
 

Commodities:

Trump’s Tariffs Lead To Selloff In Oil Markets

Continue reading“Economics & Investing For Preppers”