Letter: Debt After SHTF

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Hugh,

I’m looking for some justification of some prepper advice I’ve seen. More than a few articles recommend getting out of debt now before SHTF. I say, “Why?”. In the event of TEOTWAWKI the banks will be shut down anyway. Who’s going to process the repo paperwork? Who’s going to come enforce the repo? The local Sheriff is going to have more important things on his plate. That is assuming that he’s even still performing the duties of LEO. On top of that, I’d be willing to bet that when things started to get “back to normal” past debts will be forgiven in the interest of rebuilding the basic organizational structures needed for the operation of a society or enterprise. Just some thoughts… – D

HJL’s Reply:

You shouldn’t need any more advice than “It’s the right thing to do”. Getting out of debt should be your goal no matter what. Remember the debtor is basically a slave to the banker. It is the bankers who are pulling the strings on the world economies today. Do you really think that they’ll let anyone off the hook? The standard thinking in the case of hyperinflation is that your debt gets gradually smaller. But history doesn’t bear that out. TPTB have a tendency to trash the current hyperinflated currency, introduce a new currency, and then re-evaluate all debt in the new currency, even if it’s just as simple as dropping a zero from the currency.

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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 a likely burst of the global debt bubble in the near future.

Precious Metals:

First off, here is some useful commentary from Peter Hug: Is $1,300 Gold a Viable Target?

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Also at Kitco: Fed Increases; Dollar Rises, Gold Swoons


Commodities Economics:

Next, over at OilPrice.com, we read: Tillerson Seeks To Turn Oil Tap Off For North Korea


Forex:

On to the foreign exchange (Forex) news, Vladimir Ribakov offers: Weekly Forex Market Review 11 to 16 of June 2017

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Editors’ Quote Of The Day

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“By government giveaway programs, individuals are often hurt far more than they are helped. The recipients of these programs become dependent on the government and their dignity is destroyed. Is it compassionate to enslave more and more people by making them a part of the government dependency cycle? I think compassion should be measured by how many people no longer need it. Helping people to become self-sufficient is much more compassionate than drugging them with the narcotic of welfare.” – Rush Limbaugh

Preparedness Notes for Thursday – June 15, 2017

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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 1215 AD. 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.

Guest Article: The Practical Application of Tactical Gear, Load and Weight Considerations- Part 1, by Max

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The intent of this post is to tie in the related, practical application concepts of tactical gear, fitness, teamwork, logistics, and tactical loading, in order to present a realistic and logical way to approach the subject. There are a number of related factors at play here.

Mission

We often utilize the military terminology of “METT-TC” in order to analyze our mission and thus apply it to the gear that we may carry. Factors such as weather, duration, and the specific mission that you are conducting play into considerations of what to carry. We must be realistic in what we plan and train for now, and thus pack for. Base it around what we think we realistically might be doing in a collapse situation. I put it to you that most people will be engaged in local defense and security patrolling. They may also deal with presence/ground domination activity (GDA). People will be patrolling in and around their homestead and perhaps local community. They will thus not be engaging in multi-day ruck-missions out into the boondocks. This has relevance as we examine the other factors.

Logistics

However much you pack, you will ultimately need a resupply. Many people with a “prepper” mindset want to pack too much “just in case” they need it. I would advise a different approach. I recommend you plan for that resupply and set up a logistics chain. If it allows you the ability to maneuver under fire, it would be better to have to temporarily make do without something than carry a huge load. Thus, you could consider something along the lines of planning to utilize existing vehicles. Trucks, ATVs/UTVs, and even perhaps horses or mules can support any mission that you plan that you suspect will go beyond one day’s rations. This would be one first line ammunition scale (i.e. what is realistically carried on the person as part of a deployed load-out).

Continue reading“Guest Article: The Practical Application of Tactical Gear, Load and Weight Considerations- Part 1, by Max”

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”. Today’s focus is on terrorism.

Terrorism

Paul Joseph Watson has posted a YouTube video that lays out the reasons for the Scalise shooting very well. This is clearly a case of “leftist terrorism”. The lamestream media continues to focus on the weapon, but the truth is being revealed. This is a direct result of the leftist’s and the media’s constant drumbeat of Trump and Co. being traitors. Imagine the outrage that would be expressed by the media if this had been a follower of InfoWars.

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Reader P.S. sent in this Wall Street Journal article that details how the Philippines is now a primary target for the Islamic State. In the southern reaches of the state, the mostly Roman Catholic country is now having to take the Muslim insurgents seriously. The Black Islamic flag holds twenty percent of Marawi City. Meanwhile, the standoff has claimed the lives of at least 58 security forces and almost 200 rebels along with dozens of civilians. In addition, the Islamic State is now profiling some of the militants in its propaganda magazine Rumiyah.

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Notes for Wednesday – June 14, 2017

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.

Understanding Water Filtration, by Old Soldier

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The understanding of water filtration requires a look at various filtration methods as well as contaminants. Let’s take a look at these.

Water Filtration Methods

Carbon/Activated Carbon Filters

Activated carbon chemically bonds with and removes some contaminants in water filtered through it. Carbon filters vary greatly in effectiveness. Some just remove chlorine and improve taste and odor, while others remove a wide range of contaminants, including asbestos, lead, mercury, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). However, activated carbon cannot effectively remove common “inorganic” pollutants, such as arsenic, fluoride, hexavalent chromium, nitrate, and perchlorate. Generally, carbon filters come in two forms– carbon block and granulated activated carbon.

Carbon block filters contain pulverized activated carbon that is shaped into blocks under high pressure. They are typically more effective than granulated activated carbon filters, because they have more surface area. Their effectiveness depends in part on how quickly water flows through.

Granulated activated carbon filters contain fine grains of activated carbon. They are typically less effective than carbon block filters because they have a smaller surface area of activated carbon. Their effectiveness also depends on how quickly water flows through.

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Letter Re: Night Vision Gear and Infrared

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Hugh,

I’ve read JWR’s books and have been reading your site for a year now. I am a big fan. However, I’ve seen little or no verbiage on where to buy reasonably priced NVG or IR. Obviously your books and those of other good writers, like Joe Nobody, talk constantly about using them, and yet, it seems none are priced less than $1500. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks in advance. – J

HJL’s Comment:

As an entry level device, you can get a first generation device (usually Russian made) at nearly any sporting goods store that carries hunting/camping equipment for as low as $300. While these devices are okay for basic use, they have limited range and limited resolution. Unless they have been autogated (shuts off temporarily when bright lights are sensed) they can be damaged in normal light. They can also go completely white (well, really green) ruining your night vision for several minutes in those conditions.

The better units are much more expensive but well worth it. You are not going to be able to get into a Generation 3+ unit for much less than about $3000, even when they are on sale. However, once you’ve used one, you won’t want to go back. The gen 1 or gen 2 units are very distant in performance.

Both companies are running sales right now where you can pick one up for $2999 (a savings of over $700). Both companies are top notch and take care of their customers. When you are on their website, take a look at their other offerings.

A PVS-14 is a serious investment, but one that I cannot imagine being without. I’d recommend that you budget for one and while you are saving up, take a look at this article: Night Vision Gear for Those on a Tight Budget, by Robert C.

JWR’s Recommendations of the Week

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Here are JWR‘s Recommendations of the Week for various media, tools, and gear of interest to SurvivalBlog readers. This week’s emphasis is on forest thinning.

Books:

The Vegetable Gardener’s Bible, 2nd Edition: Discover Ed’s High-Yield W-O-R-D System for All North American Gardening Regions: Wide Rows, Organic Methods, Raised Beds, Deep Soil

Scouting And Patrolling: Ground Reconnaissance Principles And Training

Movies:

Slum Dog Millionaire. JWR’s Comments: This movie is intense and has some crudity. But it shows just how cruel life is for India’s slum dwellers.

Land of Mine. JWR’s Comments:  The events depicted, though fictionalized, are essentially true.  Until this film was released, very few had heard about the use of impressed POWs for de-mining, following World War II.

Continue reading“JWR’s Recommendations of the Week”

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 bargain prices now available on DPMS AR-15 Oracle rifles.  The market fro “black rifles” has bottomed!

Precious Metals:

First off, there is this: Gold’s Strength Is Justified Says UBS

Commodities Economics:

Next, over at OilPrice.com, Henry Trinh reports: Top Asset Managers Still Bullish On Crude

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Reuters: U.S. shale firms more exposed to falling oil prices as hedges expire

 

Forex:

On to the foreign exchange (Forex) news: EUR/USD Daily Technical Analysis for June 14, 2017

 

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The Editors’ Quote Of The Day

“There is no position which depends on clearer principles, than that every act of a delegated authority, contrary to the tenor of the commission under which it is exercised, is void. No Legislative act, therefore, contrary to the Constitution, can be valid. To deny this, would be to affirm, that the deputy is greater than his principal; that the servant is above his master; that the Representatives of the People are superior to the People themselves; that men acting by virtue of powers, may do not only what their powers do not authorize, but what they forbid. If it be said that the Legislative body are themselves the constitutional judges of their own powers, and that the construction they put upon them is conclusive upon the other departments, it may be answered, that this cannot be the natural presumption, where it is not to be collected from any particular provisions in the Constitution. It is not otherwise to be supposed, that the Constitution could intend to enable the Representatives of the People to substitute their will to that of their constituents. It is far more rational to suppose, that the Courts were designed to be an intermediate body between the People and the Legislature, in order, among other things, to keep the latter within the limits assigned to their authority. The interpretation of the laws is the proper and peculiar province of the Courts. A Constitution is, in fact, and must be regarded by the Judges, as a fundamental law. It therefore belongs to them to ascertain its meaning, as well as the meaning of any particular Act proceeding from the Legislative body. If there should happen to be an irreconcilable variance between the two, that which has the superior obligation and validity ought, of course, to be preferred; or in other words, the Constitution ought to be preferred to the statute, the intention of the People to the intention of their agents. Nor does this conclusion by any means suppose a superiority of the Judicial to the Legislative power. It only supposes that the power of the People is superior to both; and that where the will of the Legislature, declared in its statutes, stands in opposition to that of the People, declared in the Constitution, the Judges ought to be governed by the latter rather than the former. They ought to regulate their decisions by the fundamental laws, rather than by those which are not fundamental. […] whenever a particular statute contravenes the Constitution, it will be the duty of the Judicial tribunals to adhere to the latter and disregard the former.” – Alexander Hamilton, The Federalist Papers #78.

Growing Potatoes From True Potato Seeds, by ShepherdFarmerGeek

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Take a quick look at this clever video (1:47) describing the advantages of growing potatoes from potato seed.

Advantages of Growing Potatoes From Seed

Using traditional cross-breeding techniques, a company in the Netherlands named Solynta (So-lynn’-ta) has developed a line of potatoes that reliably produce “true potato seed” (“TPS”). Most potato seeds have a lot of genetic diversity, which is not a bad thing for home gardeners. They produce potatoes with varying sizes and colors, so they’re unsuitable for commercial production.

Less than one ounce of their seed can be planted in place of 5,500 pounds of “seed tuber” potatoes that would otherwise need to be cut up into pieces and planted. The seeds are lightweight, compact, and will last in storage several years. I don’t know if they’ll survive freezing. But how hard could it be to protect a thimbleful of seeds that could plant a whole potato patch? The tubers, on the other hand, require careful storage (around 40° and moderate humidity) and are subject to rotting, insect infestations, and potato diseases, not to mention they’re a lot more bulky than seeds.

Continue reading“Growing Potatoes From True Potato Seeds, by ShepherdFarmerGeek”