Letter Re: Food Storage Expiration

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I have always wondered about food storage manufacturers’ claims about the shelf life of their products. Many claim 30 years shelf life for what they sell. Of course, the question is how can the consumer ever know that this is true?

Many purchasers are dead and buried by the time 30 years pass. Who could ever go back and demand that their money be returned if it did turnout that the product had gone bad?

I know one fellow who obtained No. 10 cans of wheat from a small survival food manufacturer. When he opened a can several years later, to his horror, he found the contents to be moldy. He began opening other cans and found that all of the others were similar. That would obviously be a very bad thing, even something fatal to discover during a long-term emergency.

I believe that many survivalist/preppers, like me, are reluctant to open relatively expensive cans of stored products to test them. Having paid the money for the product, they are reluctant to “waste” it by using it during normal times.

Continue reading“Letter Re: Food Storage Expiration”

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 economic crisis in Venezuela.

Precious Metals:

First, there is this news: Gold inches higher as dollar weakens, central banks point to end of QE

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Next, here is a phone interview: Silver versus Time, Cryptocurrencies & JP Morgan – Mike Maloney and Jeff Clark

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The Editors’ Quote of the Day

“Foolish liberals who are trying to read the Second Amendment out of the constitution by claiming it’s not an individual right or that it’s too much of a safety hazard don’t see the danger of the big picture. They’re courting disaster by encouraging others to use this same means to eliminate portions of the Constitution they don’t like.” – Alan Dershowitz

Preparedness Notes for Thursday – July 06, 2017

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July 6th is the anniversary of the 1994 Storm King Mountain wildfire that took the lives of 14 firefighters. Weather changes, resulting in 45 mph wind gusts, caused a modest wildfire to erupt into a blazing inferno, which threatened homes in and around the town of Glenwood Springs, Colorado. Firefighters from around the country were called to assist in fighting this wildfire. We will never forget the young men and women who lost their lives battling this fire:

Prineville (Oregon) Hotshots: Kathi Beck, Tamera Bickett, Scott Blecha, Levi Brinkley, Douglas Dunbar, Terri Hagen, Bonnie Holtby, Rob Johnson, Jon Kelso

Missoula Smokejumper: Don Mackey

McCall Smokejumpers: Roger Roth, Jim Thrash

Helitack Firefighters: Robert Browning, Jr., Richard Tyler

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There are only three weeks left in round 71 of the SurvivalBlog Writing Contest. If you haven’t seen the list of the nearly $11,000 in prizes that will be awarded, then you need to look them over. Get your article finished and sent in!

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Also, don’t miss reading the comments on our articles. There have been some fantastic discussions that have really added value to the articles. We’ve only been running the comments for a short while be there have already been more than 2,500 comments posted. Most of these include great additional information. Be part of the conversation! Ask your questions and share your expertise. Thanks!

Preparing For The Cashless Transition

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Most western nations will soon adopt digital currency. Already, more than 80% of day-to-day transactions in the First World are settled with debit cards, credit cards, PayPal, or checks. In Europe, the use of the EC card—a sort of interbank debit card—has become ubiquitous. Going “cashless” is the Big Trend.

With the now widespread use of smart phones, payment for many small transactions is as simple as just waving a phone at the checkout counter. (This is a so-called “contactless” or “mobile wallet” purchase.) Mobile wallets, such as Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay, are catching on rapidly.  So rapidly, in fact, that some urbanites no longer carry any cash. At many stores, kiosks, and even restaurants this will likely become obligatory in the next few years. No smartphone? Sorry, “No soup for you!”

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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”. Central & South America news starts us off today.

Nanny State

Reader H.L. sent in this article on Chicago not allowing high school students to graduate without a plan for the future. She also sends this comment:

“There is so many things wrong about this concept, I hardly know where to start

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

The Editors’ Quote of the Day

“Slavery is such an atrocious debasement of human nature, that its very extirpation, if not performed with solicitous care, may sometimes open a source of serious evils. The unhappy man who has been treated as a brute animal, too frequently sinks beneath the common standard of the human species. The galling chains, that bind his body, do also fetter his intellectual faculties, and impair the social affections of his heart… To instruct, to advise, to qualify those, who have been restored to freedom, for the exercise and enjoyment of civil liberty… and to procure for their children an education calculated for their future situation in life; these are the great outlines of the annexed plan, which we have adopted.” – Benjamin Franklin, (For the Pennsylvania Society for Promoting the Abolition of Slavery, 1789)

Preparedness Notes for Wednesday – July 05, 2017

On July 5, 1810, P. T. Barnum, the great American showman, was born. He died on April 7, 1891. He is often credited with the phrase “There is a sucker born every minute.” While the actual attribution of the quote is suspect with many versions of the story abounding, the concept remains valid, especially when one considers the economic state of the entire world. Only in a world of fools could the economy of entire nations, indeed the vast majority of the world, be driven solely off of debt.

Horizontal Relationships: The Key to True Independence- Part 2, by J.E.

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We are continuing to look at my thesis: True independence is achieved by cultivating horizontal dependencies and avoiding vertical dependencies. We have done so through a hypothetical family’s situation– the Johnson’s– and analyzed their most basic needs, as Maslow would say. We’ve looked at the Johnson’s food, water, and shelter scenario.

Security

Speaking of Maslow, let’s look at another critical need– security. If the Johnsons are anything like the average American Suburban dweller, they probably have a shotgun somewhere in a closet. It was probably Mr. Johnson’s dad’s or grandad’s, and it brought down many a fowl in its day. Mr. Johnson has shot it a few times and plans to teach his son how to use it. Somewhere in the garage is a box of #7 target load. The Johnsons lock their doors at night and have a great security system installed. It’s a good neighborhood with a low crime rate, and the police station is close by.

So, who do the Johnsons rely on for security? Primarily, they rely on the ordered, polite, civilized society. If it remains a good neighborhood, the Johnsons will be okay. Secondarily, and exclusively in the event of an incident, the Johnsons rely on their local law enforcement.

Continue reading“Horizontal Relationships: The Key to True Independence- Part 2, by J.E.”

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 Economist Peter Schiff”s predictions.

Precious Metals:

First, there is this: Gold marks lowest finish in nearly 8 weeks.

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Next, some charts from Jim Wyckoff: Monday’s Charts for Gold, Silver, Platinum and Palladium, July 03 [2017]

Continue reading“Economics & Investing For Preppers”

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’s emphasis is on the documentary film The Red Pill.

Books:

From The Shepherd’s Purse.  (One of the very best books on herbal medicine.)

Movies (The Red Pill):

The Red Pill.  A fascinating documentary by a liberal feminist who went through an anti-feminist epiphany during the filming.  Also available through Amazon Prime.  HJL had these comments on the film: “It is nearly two hours long, but it is time well spent. For those who are also not familiar with it, the documentary is put together by a journalist who calls herself a feminist and is well know for covering feminist issues. But she approaches it in an honest frame of mind and includes many clips from her year-long video blog of her journey. Very powerful, very moving.”

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The Editors’ Quote of the Day

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“How dreadful are the curses which Mohammedanism lays on its votaries! Besides the fanatical frenzy, which is as dangerous in a man as hydrophobia in a dog, there is this fearful fatalistic apathy. The effects are apparent in many countries. Improvident habits, slovenly systems of agriculture, sluggish methods of commerce, and insecurity of property exist wherever the followers of the Prophet rule or live. A degraded sensualism deprives this life of its grace and refinement; the next of its dignity and sanctity. The fact that in Mohammedan law every woman must belong to some man as his absolute property – either as a child, a wife, or a concubine – must delay the final extinction of slavery until the faith of Islam has ceased to be a great power among men. Thousands become the brave and loyal soldiers of the faith: all know how to die but the influence of the religion paralyses the social development of those who follow it. No stronger retrograde force exists in the world. Far from being moribund, Mohammedanism is a militant and proselytizing faith. It has already spread throughout Central Africa, raising fearless warriors at every step; and were it not that Christianity is sheltered in the strong arms of science, the science against which it had vainly struggled, the civilisation of modern Europe might fall, as fell the civilizations of ancient Rome.”
― Winston S. Churchill, The River War

Preparedness Notes for Tuesday – July 04, 2017

As Americans go through the motions of celebrating the remnants of our our once preciously cherished liberty, we are reminded that it is high time to pluck a few chickens and warm up the tar pot.

Independence day is also the birthday of Nathaniel Hawthorne (1804-1864) and of General Giuseppe Garibaldi (1807–1882) – JWR

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The Sixteenth Annual William Howsare Memorial Public Reading of our 1776 Declaration of Independence will take place at 12:00 Noon (EDT) on Tuesday 4 July 2017, in front of the County Courthouse in Marlinton, Pocahontas County, West Virginia. All welcome, phone 304-799-7191 for more information

For those not in West Virginia, you might check your local newspaper for a similar announcement to see if your local government or organization is also having a reading.

Horizontal Relationships: The Key to True Independence- Part 1, by J.E.

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Within our relationships, as preppers, let’s look at the concept of true independence. It applies to us in our preparedness pursuits and in life in general. While we, of course, avoid many dependencies, what may surprise you is that it requires we cultivate certain dependencies.

Fourth of July or Independence Day?

Here’s a question: Do you wish your friends and family a “Happy 4th of July” or a “Happy Independence Day?” For me, I always make a point of calling this holiday “Independence Day”. I want to remember and remind others that all the fireworks; red, white, and blue; and backyard cookouts are about one thing and one thing only– the celebration of and thankfulness for our independence.

The Concept of “Independence”

Unfortunately, I have been dismayed to find that many people don’t like the word “independence”. “No one can be independent,” they say. “We all rely on others.” Independence is even used sometimes as a pejorative term.

As we celebrate our nation’s 241st birthday, I’d like to take a moment to speak up on behalf of this less-loved word. I’d like to present an idea about what independence truly is and explain how we can work to achieve it.

Continue reading“Horizontal Relationships: The Key to True Independence- Part 1, by J.E.”

SurvivalBlog’s News From The American Redoubt

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Here is the special 4th of July Edition of SurvivalBlog’s News From The American Redoubt. This column features news stories and event announcements from around the American Redoubt region. We also mention companies in the region of interest to preppers. Today’s focus is on Constitutional Liberty organizations and events in the American Redoubt.

Idaho

Some very special congratulations to Enola Gay. She is the Editrix of the outstanding Paratus Familia blog.  They found a buyer for their Shouse, and they’ve moved to their Dream Retreat/Ranch property, which is elsewhere in The American Redoubt. If you’ve never read Enola’s blog, you are missing out. I highly recommend working your way through her blog archives!  She has also written a couple of great books. Every “dialed-in” prepper family should have copies of The Prepared Family Cookbook and The Prepared Family Guide to Uncommon Diseases.

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On to this Redoubt News mention: The second Spirit of America Rally was recently held in Post Falls, Idaho.

Continue reading“SurvivalBlog’s News From The American Redoubt”