The Editor’s Quote of the Day

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“Gianforte is a westerner about my age. Growing up I learned that if someone got in your face they were asking for a quick shot in the face or to be picked up by the collar and shoved against the wall or the floor. We learned to be polite or else we spent time in the dentist chair. I am an Idahoan (for you easterners that is just west of Montana) and that is the culture I grew up in. Back then no one would have called for the police unless the person beat down was from California or the East coast, then the local sheriff would listen to the facts and decide it was justified and dismiss the whole thing. Gianforte was just doing what comes naturally and if you can’t respect it then stay out of the rural west. The reason he was even charged is that Gallatin County has been contaminated with hordes of Californians whom nobody wanted in the first place. When I went to the east coast for college I adjusted for the culture, and its time you adjusted to ours when you come here. If it had been me that he did that to, Jacobs would be getting fit for dentures.” – An Anonymous Commenter at Brietbart regarding Greg Gianforte’s winning  Montana’s only congressional seat, after allegedly assaulting a British reporter on the eve of the election.

Notes for Sunday – May 28, 2017

George Washington, a young lieutenant colonel in the British Army and future president of the United States, led an attack on French forces at Jumonville Glen on this day in 1754. This battle was later credited with being the opening salvo in the French and Indian War (1754 to 1763).

In the biography His Excellency: George Washington, historian Joseph Ellis recounts Washington’s first combat experience. Washington and 40 colonial troops had been encamped near the French garrison at Fort Duquesne when he received an urgent message to rescue Indian allies in the area who were threatened by French forces. In his official report of the encounter, Washington described how his troops, aided by warriors under the Indian leader Tanacharison, surrounded a detachment of 32 French soldiers near the fort on May 28 and, within 15 minutes, killed 10 of them, including the garrison’s commander, wounded one and took another 21 prisoner.

Debunking the Myth of Canned Food Expiration Dates, by T.L.

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Canned Goods

Even if you’re not yet a prepper, you likely have at least some canned food goods on your shelf with an expiration date on them. Perhaps you have even taken up canning your own food. Either way, canned goods are a common staple. That is the case for good reason. However, do you really know the truth about canned food shelf life?

I’m surprised by how many people seem to have a deep trust of those “magical dates” on canned foods. But what are those dates anyway? What do they mean?

Myths to Debunk

Various Types of Canned Food Dates

Here, let’s debunk some of the myths that surround those dates on canned foods.

Continue reading“Debunking the Myth of Canned Food Expiration Dates, by T.L.”

Letter: Venezuela Update

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Hugh,

I own a shipping store and just received this today from DHL, a primary international carrier. I found the content interesting as providing some insight as to what a failing government considers to be threats in the hand of its citizens! – R.B.

Prohibited Items Into Venezuela

Date: May 26, 2017
Due to ongoing unrest in Venezuela, this emergency security directive is to be put in place effective immediately in all facilities:
The following is an updated list of items that are prohibited in being shipped to Venezuela (VE) under any service offering. Please note these are in addition to current standard DHL prohibited items and Venezuela Country specific prohibited commodities. Immediate enforcement of these prohibitions is mandatory, with no exceptions:

Continue reading“Letter: Venezuela Update”

The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods:

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Middle East

Syria has effectively ceased to exist. You now have a situation in which the local regime has very little control or even influence in how even domestic matters are resolved in the country. The foreign powers (Russia, Iran, United States, and others) are now making it clear that no settlement or agreement will be taking place without their involvement and approval. The government takes its orders from Russia and Iran, and the coalition supports the rebel leadership making the current situation the status quo. Syria is now merely a fractured country in which no side can win because of foreign involvements.

o o o

From the Washington Blog comes this timely piece: Manchester Terror Attack Proves that the War On Terror Is Failing. You might think that the 10 steps suggested to finally end the war on terror are “common sense”. However, our politicians are not really interested in following through. We do indeed have the capability and the will to end this nonsense, yet we resuscitate it continuously.

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

Editors’ Quote of the Day

“For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. And if they were all one member, where were the body? But now are they many members, yet but one body. And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: and those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness. For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked: that there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.” 1 Corinthians 12:12-26 (KJV)

Preparedness Notes for Saturday – May 27, 2017

Traditionally, many of SurvivalBlog’s advertisers have Memorial Day sales and this year is no exception.

KeepShooting has some great deals on surplus military equipment like the Military Style Wool Blankets in OD, black and gray. This are excellent emergency blankets to have in your vehicle. Take a look at their other specials too!

Ready Made Resources is giving away a Baofeng ham radio with the purchase of any night vision device or thermal device (excluding the pocket scope). This is a $63 value.

Ten Tips for Going Off-Grid, by A.U.

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My husband and I recently bought a piece of property with some family members in the hope of transitioning to off-grid living. For those who might not be familiar with the concept, going off-grid means creating a lifestyle that does not rely on public utilities (water, electricity, et cetera).

There are many different reasons people choose to go off-grid. Some of the most popular reasons are:

  • to decrease environmental impact,
  • to prepare for disaster, or
  • a desire to be independent and self-sustained.

We jumped into our endeavor with almost no knowledge or experience. We have had to learn some things the hard way. While I would not trade the experience for anything, there are some things that I wish we had known from the start. Here is a list of tips I can offer to help make the transition to off-grid living a bit easier.

Continue reading“Ten Tips for Going Off-Grid, by A.U.”

Editors’ Prepping Progress

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As preppers work to make progress to achieve prepping goals, we took some actions this week too. The SurvivalBlog editors made some plans earlier in the week and now reflect upon these. Below, the editors share what we each accomplished. Please write to us in the comments and tell us what you did this week to get your preps in place and to be ready.

JWR

Hello SurvivalBlog Readers,

This week the weather in the northern American Redoubt was cool, cloudy, and mostly dry.

Our prepping accomplishments are as follows:

Jim got a nice start on the plumbing project. He took down the wasp infected, hollowed tree and took down some more dead and diseased trees, gathered slash and burned it. Jim and Lily, together, planted, mulched and deeply watered the eight saplings. We love working together outside.

Continue reading“Editors’ Prepping Progress”

The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods:

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NBC

From reader G.P. we learn of this article describing why you should never get in a car if dealing with a nearby nuclear explosion. It’s not something that we want to think about, but if you have survived a surprise nuclear explosion, sheltering in place is probably the best thing you can do. A car offers miserable protections from the fallout, not to mention dealing with the crowded road conditions of others fleeing the scene. The article offers some information about using basements and office/school buildings as protection. However, it does make the assumption that the blast is in the typical 10-20Kiloton yield with the dangerous fallout zone lasting approximately 48 hours. The hot zone will last considerably longer but allow you to travel quickly through it.

o o o

From the New York Times Magazine comes this article on How to Build a Fallout Shelter. It’s a pretty basic description with a number of subjects untouched (such as waste disposal), but it fits in with the last article on sheltering in place. It’s not difficult to create a safe space to get through the worst and most dangerous fallout after a bomb. Thanks to G.G. for the link.

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

The Editors’ Quote Of The Day

“And the Lord said unto Moses, Number all the firstborn of the males of the children of Israel from a month old and upward, and take the number of their names. And thou shalt take the Levites for me (I am the Lord) instead of all the firstborn among the children of Israel; and the cattle of the Levites instead of all the firstlings among the cattle of the children of Israel. And Moses numbered, as the Lord commanded him, all the firstborn among the children of Israel. And all the firstborn males by the number of names, from a month old and upward, of those that were numbered of them, were twenty and two thousand two hundred and threescore and thirteen.

And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, Take the Levites instead of all the firstborn among the children of Israel, and the cattle of the Levites instead of their cattle; and the Levites shall be mine: I am the Lord. And for those that are to be redeemed of the two hundred and threescore and thirteen of the firstborn of the children of Israel, which are more than the Levites; thou shalt even take five shekels apiece by the poll, after the shekel of the sanctuary shalt thou take them: (the shekel is twenty gerahs:) and thou shalt give the money, wherewith the odd number of them is to be redeemed, unto Aaron and to his sons. And Moses took the redemption money of them that were over and above them that were redeemed by the Levites: of the firstborn of the children of Israel took he the money; a thousand three hundred and threescore and five shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary: and Moses gave the money of them that were redeemed unto Aaron and to his sons, according to the word of the Lord, as the Lord commanded Moses”. Numbers 4:40-51 (KJV)

Preparedness Notes for Friday – May 26, 2017

SurvivalBlog Non-Fiction Writing Contest

We are still looking for articles for the SurvivalBlog Non-Fiction Writing Contest. If you’ve been wanting a shot at the $11,000+ worth of prizes, now is your chance! We will consider just about any article from your experience, but How-To articles get preference in the judging. If you have an idea that your thinking about, write it up and send it in. If you are looking for some possible writing subjects, here are a few to consider:

  • Family Fallout Protection
  • Non-Traditional Gardening Crops and Techniques
  • 2 Meter Radio Basics
  • Understanding VPN and Choosing The Right Service
  • The Best Prepper Fiction in Books and Movies
  • How to Drive a Sand Point Well
  • Assembling Your Gunsmithing Tool Chest
  • The Most Overlooked Preps
  • Stockpiling Barter Items — Your “Thinking Outside the Box “List
  • Being Ready for Home Plumbing Emergencies
  • How to Maximize (and Organize) Storage Space for Your Preps
  • 30 Must-Have Books for Well-Prepped Families
  • Medical Supplies: What You Need in Your “Second Aid” Kit
  • Caching Techniques: Underground, In-Home, and Out in Plain Sight
  • Essential Tools for Home and Retreat Carpentry
  • Do-It-Yourself Firearms Camouflaging
  • How to Make Your Own Ghillie Cape and Ghillied Boonie Hat
  • How to Install a Security System
  • Video Surveillance
  • Communications Go-Bag
  • Every Day Carry for Restricted Areas
  • Weekly, Monthly, & Yearly Checklists

Guest Article: The Genesis Of The “Bubble’s Bubble”

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The financial services industry is headed for the greatest debate in recent history.

Regardless of what occurs from here –a continued stock market bullish trend or reversion to long-term averages which chronicles back to 2000 levels, the confines of discussion, the heated verbal and written volleys tossed deep from the roots of philosophical differences will forge a permanent rift between the steadfast buy-and-hold brethren and the stewards who manage risk by preserving capital (the dreaded group with a market escape plan), through the forthcoming bear cycle.

The stakes are higher than I can recall.

Future generations: Those we are depending on to lift the globe from the depths of a demographic malaise, groups nowhere near as ostentatious as Baby Boomers; generations that savor experience over product and have been wary of the risk in stocks, are beginning to relent and take notice of this bull market trajectory.

How they experience the ride in stocks and what occurs from here will shape their investment philosophy. I fear Millennials to Gen Y are going to get fooled, taken out. Smacked in the face.

Continue reading“Guest Article: The Genesis Of The “Bubble’s Bubble””

Review of Max Velocity’s Defensive Concealed Handgun Class

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I am in my 50s and have been carrying a concealed handgun on and off since 1990.  Consistently every day for the last six (6) years.  I have read a number of books by Massad Ayoob, John Farnum, Jeff Cooper and others. I’ve studied a number of instructional DVD’s as well. I also practiced what I thought were the correct ways to draw and shoot. My training even included how I thought through the reasons behind why I carried a concealed weapon.   But I had a nagging fear that I couldn’t shake that I’d missed something or things weren’t as they seemed.

On April 20, 2017 I read SurvivalBlog.com (SB) like I do almost every day. I read the editor’s post on the upcoming training events that Max Velocity Tactical (MVT) had scheduled for May and June.  I went to the MVT website via the SurvivalBlog link, and was impressed with what I saw and read on the MVT website. It was enough that I immediately registered for the Defensive Concealed Handgun class that was scheduled for May 13-14, 2017.

The Class

The first couple of hours on the first day (Saturday) was a presentation / discussion that covered safety, holsters, belts, magazine carriers, “dressing around the gun”, etc.; topics that I’d read a lot about and had worked to incorporate into my daily routine.  Though I was impressed by the depth of Scott’s (the instructor) knowledge and his delivery, I began to think that I’d been doing things right and that I was in a “good place”.  I couldn’t have been more wrong…..

Continue reading“Review of Max Velocity’s Defensive Concealed Handgun Class”

Economics & Investing for Preppers

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Shale oil production is now in the headlines. 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 quirky “tangibles heavy” contrarian perspective of JWR. (SurvivalBlog’s Founder and Senior Editor):


Precious Metals:

First, over at Gold-Eagle: Arizona Ends Income Taxation On Gold And Silver Coins. So here is JWR‘s Comment:  Other States that presently tax bullion coins should follow suit.

o o o

Hubert Moolman just published this commentary: Silver Price Forecast 2018: The US Dollar Breakdown Clears The Way for a 1970s Style Silver Rally


Commodities Economics:

Nick Cunningham reports: Goldman: Oil Glut To Return When OPEC Deal Expires

Continue reading“Economics & Investing for Preppers”