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”. Hurricane Harvey continues to remind us of why we prep. We need to evaluate our preps in light of stories we hear.

Gas prices

The Colonial pipeline was shutdown due to issues caused by hurricane Harvey. The pipeline supplies nearly 40% of gasoline in the south with a capacity of 57.5 million gallons of gasoline per day. The company has stated that they expect the pipeline to be back up and running on Sunday. This is an example of how fragile our transportation system actually is. We all know how dependent we are on the trucking industry. If the trucks quit rolling, people starve. What happens when the pipeline is damaged and it takes months to repair? What if the backup/competing pipelines are damaged? Thanks to reader W.W. for the link.

Reality TV

Mike Williamson, SurvivalBlog’s Editor at Large, sent in this article on the backstory of the failed “Eden” reality survivor show. The shows intention was to create a Utopian paradise isolated from the world. As it turns out, they failed on both accounts. Eden wasn’t so isolated with cast members sneaking out at night, quitting the show then returning and eventually even making demands for modern amenities. It wasn’t a paradise either as there was much strife between participants. (It is “reality” TV, you know. Where would that be if there wasn’t drama.) Half of the cast quit and some even came near starving to death. It certainly stands as an example of the clash between the romantic side of survival and the harsh reality of actually surviving.

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Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“If you happen to come upon a bird’s nest along the way, in any tree or on the ground, with young ones or eggs, and the mother sitting on the young or on the eggs, you shall not take the mother with the young; you shall certainly let the mother go, but the young you may take for yourself, in order that it may be well with you and that you may prolong your days.” – Dueteronomy 22:6-7 (KJV)

Guest Post: A Discussion on “Bugging Out”, by Max Alexander

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Let’s have a discussion today about “bugging out”. This is in fact a huge topic and often discussed across the prepper-sphere. There are many aspects to this and a detailed discussion, including the debate about “to stay or to go” is written up in “Contact! A Tactical Manual for Post Collapse Survival. The issues, pros, cons, and mistakes around this are further illustrated in the collapse-novel Patriot Dawn: The Resistance Rises.

Foolhardy Bugging Out On Foot

Given the breadth of the topic, my plan today is to focus on the idea of bugging out on foot with a “never coming back’ mindset. Much has been discussed before about the problems of trying to survive in the woods, or of becoming a refugee, and I think that there are a number of issues with the idea of trying to bug out from your home base carrying a huge load on your back. So much so that I believe the idea of trying to bug out on foot with a huge load is foolhardy. Let us examine why.

None of us know what form and extent a collapse, or event, will take. For the purposes of this post, let us assume that something serious has happened that has us staying in place at a location that is our home base, or retreat location. Thus, we have already gone through the decision making process of an initial “get home” or “bug out” to a retreat, or attempt to stay in the suburbs, et cetera. Related to this is the idea of attempting to use whatever vehicles we have available for any sort of move that we make. We still do not know exactly what will befall us, but our assumption here is that we are now at our prepared location and we are surviving in place.

Continue reading“Guest Post: A Discussion on “Bugging Out”, by Max Alexander”

Freeze Dried Friday:

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Welcome to Freeze Dried Friday on SurvivalBlog! We’ve been making so many things in the Harvest Right Freeze Dryer that we want to share some of them with you. If you have something wonderful you’ve prepared in your freeze dryer that you would like to share with SurvivalBlog readers, take a photo of it and send it in along with a description. We might just feature you here!

No More Eggs!

We fired up one freeze dryer this week. Normally, I would run milk or eggs while waiting for produce to run in the machine. However, we didn’t make it to the store this week for milk and we have quite enough scrambled eggs. When you hit fifty-eight quarts of scrambled eggs, you start asking the question “Do I really need to freeze dry more?” Instead, we decided to offer our eggs for sale. It would appear that the going rate for organic brown eggs is $3/dozen. Why brown eggs are more expensive than white eggs is beyond me. Since about half of our chickens are Easter-Eggers, the customer can get a dozen straight brown or a dozen of mixed pink, blue and green (pastels). It’s a bit funny watching someone see the colored eggs for the first time. City-slickers!

I’m about done with those Easter-Eggers though. As cute as the eggs are, the hens are about as flighty as they come. But that’s a story for another time.

Continue reading“Freeze Dried Friday:”

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 zinc.  (See the Commodities section.)

 

Precious Metals:

To begin, over at Zero Hedge: Grant Williams: “History Is About To Repeat Itself Again… And It Might Get Ugly”

o  o  o

Hub Moolman in South Africa: The Amount Of Dollars In Existence Relative To The Silver Price Points To Much Higher Prices

Stocks:

Mexico approves new stock exchange; aims for start early next year

o  o  o

Provident Financial set for demotion as FTSE loses ground

Commodities (Zinc):

In the midst of the overall soft commodities market, the one year chart for zinc stands out.  Perhaps a precursor for the other base metals?

o  o  o

Video: John Kaiser: The Zinc Price Will Go a Lot Higher Than People Expect

o  o  o

U.S. natural gas sees bumpy trade in Harvey’s aftermath

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Preparedness Notes for Thursday – August 31, 2017

August 31st, 1992 is the day that Randy Weaver surrendered to the Federal Authorities, ending the 10 day siege on Ruby Ridge. This is the incident that preceded the Waco siege and is known for the unconstitutional rules of engagement and overzealous actions by the jack booted thugs of the federal authorities that resulted in the death of two innocent people– Sammy and Vicki Weaver, Randy’s son and wife. It is notable that Randy was acquitted of all charges except missing a court date and violating bail conditions on an ATF sting operation where it is suspected that Mr. Weaver did nothing wrong but that the ATF informant altered the shotguns sold to him by Weaver resulting in Weaver’s arrest. In addition, the missed court date was due to clerical errors on behalf of the court. All involved Federal agencies were publicly reprimanded, and the state of Idaho attempted to press charges against some individuals for their actions but were stymied due to federal interference.

A Response to Going Analog, by M.G.

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Selectric Typewriter Security Issues

Back in the 1970s IBM was required by at least one of its customers to make some options available for Selectric typewriters because they discovered the Selectric design was susceptible to electronic eavesdropping that could determine what the typewriter was printing. As it turns out, mid-’70s electronics were capable of detecting not only the unique electronic signature of individual typewriter motors but also measuring the load incurred by that motor during character selection from the main power feed outside the building. So, it’s possible that even using a mechanical electric typewriter for written communications may not be as secure as we think.

Typebar typewriters, both electric and manual, do produce a typeface “signature”; so actually does a Selectric typing element– the “ball”. However, it’s trivial to change elements. Were someone to use a Selectric for secure communications I’d suggest, depending on the level of security required, one typing element be reserved and used only for that purpose. The elements are metal-coated plastic and will burn, although there will be some metal remaining, assuming it is not melted.

Regarding Selectric-type ribbons, you have pointed out that the correctable film ribbon can be very easily read; so can the correction tape. Even the fabric ribbons can be read, although it’s much more work than the film ribbon. As an FYI, typewriters of all types will leave impressions on the platen (the rubber roller the paper goes around), with typebar machines, especially manuals, leaving the strongest impression. I do not know how long those impressions remain readable, but I know some impressions can be readable in limited form for a day.

Continue reading“A Response to Going Analog, by M.G.”

Letter Re: Search Engine Privacy and Security

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Good day Sir,

I want to reference to a topic which could prove of great importance. A situation where the loss of personal liberty and freedom occurs. There are some that believe that we are in that situation currently.

I browse the Internet for news and factual information, much like earlier times when a person would pick up a newspaper. I have in the past used “Google” as my primary “Search Engine”. To my understanding and experience, my search results are cataloged and referenced. When I do searches through “Google”, I am bombarded by advertisements that seemingly reference my previous search preferences.

An example

Case in point. I had been doing a search for cold weather sleeping bags, and nearly every site I visit contains an exact advertisement to a choice that I in fact have already purchased.

I have recently switched over to the “Epic privacy browser”. Their site states their browser does not divulge your personal IP Address to your Internet provider. To my understanding, your personal “IP Address ” is the same as a person’s mailing address.

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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”. Texas is showing America how it’s done with the aftermath of hurricane Harvey. There are some amazing stories of normal people helping others through some tough times. Sadly, there are also the expected stories of crooks taking advantage.

Electronic Security

A researcher recently revealed that a server containing over 711 million email addresses was breached exposing account logins and passwords. You can check if your account was possibly one of those in this breach (or others) by using the web site https://haveibeenpwned.com/ . However, it is important to note that just because your email address (or account login) was compromised, it doesn’t necessarily mean that your email was hacked.

The site will let you know which data breach your account was affected by. You can then make sure that your password for that site has been changed. (you do use different passwords for different sites, right?). Many sites require your email address to be used for your account login, but unless your computer/mobile device itself is hacked or the databreach involved your email provider, your email address hasn’t been hacked – just the account listed was hacked. Thanks to DSV for the link.

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Editors’ Quote of the Day:

Good intentions will always be pleaded for every assumption of authority. It is hardly too strong to say that the Constitution was made to guard the people against the dangers of good intentions. There are men in all ages who mean to govern well, but they mean to govern. They promise to be good masters, but they mean to be masters.” – Daniel Webster

Preparedness Notes for Wednesday – August 30, 2017

August 30, 2014 is the 95th birthday of Joachim Rønneberg, a hero of the Norwegian resistance during World War II. His exploits earned him the War Cross Wtth Sword, Norway’s highest military honor. In April 2013, Rønneberg was presented with a Union Jack during a ceremony at the Special Operations Executive (SOE) monument in London to mark 70 years since the successful Gunnerside heavy water plant sabotage mission.

Radiation Issues In Nuclear Blasts- Part 2, by Dr. Bones of doomandbloom.net

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This is the second part of this article on radiation issues in nuclear blasts. We’ve defined radiation and various types of bombs as well as radiation’s effects on living things. Today, we’ll look at what we can do to prepare for radiation exposure, treat its effects, and more.

Radiation Sickness

The medical effects of exposure are collectively known as “radiation sickness” or “Acute Radiation Syndrome”. A certain amount of radiation exposure is tolerable over time, but your goal should be to shelter your group as much as possible.

Terms For Measuring Quantities of Radiation

To accomplish this goal, we should first clarify what the different terms for measuring the quantities of radiation mean. Scientists use terms such as RADS, REMS, SIEVERTS, GRAYS, BECQUERELS, or CURIES to describe radiation amounts. Different terms are used when describing the amount of radiation being given off by a source, the total amount of radiation that is actually absorbed by a human or animal, or the chance that a living thing will suffer health damage from exposure:

  • BECQUERELS/CURIES – these terms describe the amount of radiation that, say, a hunk of uranium gives off into the environment. These measurements are named after scientists who were the first to work with (and die from) radioactivity.
  • RADS – the amount of the radiation in the environment that is actually absorbed by a living thing.
  • REMS/SIEVERTS/GRAYS – the measurement of the risks of health damage from the radiation absorbed.

Continue reading“Radiation Issues In Nuclear Blasts- Part 2, by Dr. Bones of doomandbloom.net”

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 underfunded pensions. (See the Economy and Finance section.)

Precious Metals:

First up, over at Bloomberg, we read: Gold Is Shaken by a Mysterious 2 Million-Ounce Trade

o  o  o

Also this at Gold-Eagle: Gold Prices This Week And Next Week’s Forecast

Stocks:

On to stocks: Greenspan’s warning went deeper than the stock market

o  o  o

How the Dow is being rattled by North Korean missiles, Harvey floods and low volumes, in four charts

Commodities:

IEA: OPEC Must Extend Cuts To Balance Oil Markets

o  o  o

Next, some commentary from Alan Brugler: Storm Clouds

Continue reading“Economics & Investing For Preppers”