Notes for Tuesday – May 16, 2017

On this day in 1868, the U.S. Senate voted against impeaching President Andrew Johnson and acquitted him of committing “high crimes and misdemeanors.”

In February 1868, the House of Representatives charged Johnson with 11 articles of impeachment for vague “high crimes and misdemeanors”. (For comparison, in 1998, President Bill Clinton was charged with two articles of impeachment for obstruction of justice during an investigation into his inappropriate sexual behavior in the White House Oval Office. In 1974, Nixon faced three charges for his involvement in the Watergate scandal.) The main issue in Johnson’s trial was his staunch resistance to implementing Congress’ Civil War Reconstruction policies. The War Department was the federal agency responsible for carrying out Reconstruction programs in the war-ravaged southern states, and when Johnson fired the agency’s head, Edwin Stanton, Congress retaliated with calls for his impeachment.

Why a Handout Gun?, by D.B.

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A handout gun is an inexpensive carbine and/or pistol given to someone who arrives at your home during societal collapse without one. The required criterion for this tool is that it be simple to operate, reliable, and reasonably priced. If you don’t have them in a rack waiting, then you do not fully comprehend what you must do in order to be prepared for TEOTWAWKI or WROL times.

Who Will Show Up At Your Retreat?

Family and friends will show up at your retreat. That will come unless they fall prey to a wild pack violence event on the way to your retreat. Who else will show up at your retreat? Straight up refugees will seek shelter with you also. Can you definitively predict this? What about your buddy from work? A refugee doctor or dentist? A Soldier that was on his way home for leave? A Lurch-sized college student far from home? Of course, one has no idea who will show up on their doorstep. If you could, then you would be able to also tell exactly when society will unravel and in what exact manner this will occur.Continue reading“Why a Handout Gun?, by D.B.”

SurvivalBlog’s News From The American Redoubt

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This column is posted on Tuesdays. Here, we present news stories and event announcements from around the American Redoubt region.  We also mention companies in the region of interest to preppers. The Redoubt region is perhaps the safest and most free place to live in these United States.

With the regular recent rains, the fire season will be mild this summer–at least in the northern part of the Redoubt. As of today’s date, none of the American Redoubt is experiencing a drought.

Idaho

First, here is some news from southern Idaho: Forest Service seeks salvage logging after Pioneer Fire. Up to 70 million board feet might be salvaged.

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And here is some sad, troubling news: Detectives Seek Assistance From Public on Fernan Lake Deaths Continue reading“SurvivalBlog’s News From The American Redoubt”

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”.

Politics and Your Neighborhood Crime

Reader H.L. sent in this link from American Thinker on how Oregon is emptying jails to terrorize citizens into paying higher taxes. It’s truly amazing how much the government has in common with organized crime. Isn’t this concept similar to the “protection payment” extorted from shop owners? Either pay us what we want or we’ll make sure your property is destroyed!.

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Chicago police fought to keep a secret list of people they wanted to watch during the devastating surge in murders and attempted murders last summer. While only about 1,400 individuals drove the crime wave, the list included almost 400,000 entries. This was basically a pre-crime “minority report” sort of list, made up of anyone who had been the victim of a crime or had witnessed a crime as well as those who had committed crimes. Individuals were given scores based upon the statistical likelihood that they might perpetrate a crime. The Sun Times has now made the list public.Continue reading“The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods:”

The Editors’ Quote Of The Day

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“We think we know what we are doing. We have always thought so. We never seem to acknowledge that we have been wrong in the past, and so might be wrong in the future. Instead, each generation writes off earlier errors as the result of bad thinking by less able minds – and then confidently embarks on fresh errors of its own.” – Michael Crichton in his novel Prey

Notes for Monday – May 15, 2017

On May 15th, 1942, gasoline rationing began in 17 Eastern states as an attempt to help the American war effort during World War II. By the end of the year, President Franklin D. Roosevelt had ensured that mandatory gasoline rationing was in effect in all 48 states. Given the current economic state, are you ready for it?

Para Ordnance Elite Pro 1911, by Pat Cascio

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This week we are reviewing the Para Ordnance Elite Pro 1911.

1911 is the Best

Yeah, I’m prejudiced and freely admit it. When it comes to the finest combat handgun ever designed, I always fall back to the grand 1911 in some shape or form. I don’t think there is another handgun that is more famous than the 1911. It doesn’t matter which of its many guises or from any number of quality makers. John Browning knew what he was doing when he came up with the fighting pistol. There’s not a doubt in my mind. I know, I know. Send the arrows my way. But I’m entitled to my humble opinion on some things. Without a doubt, there are many more modern handguns out there. Many are manufactured out of polymer, and I own more than my share of them. I won’t argue that many of these newer handguns can get the job done when the chips are down.

The 1911 came out obviously in 1911. So, it’s been around more than a hundred years. And it doesn’t show any signs of slowing down. More and more makers are producing the 1911. They’re making 1911s ranging from budget priced mil-spec samples to custom made numbers costing many thousands of dollars. Then, there’s everything in between. Also, we have the full-sized Government Model with the 5-inch barrel down to sub-compact models with a 3-inch barrel. Once again, there is everything in between and beyond. The different calibers offer another variation. The gun started out as a .45 ACP. But these days, it can be had in a number of different calibers.Continue reading“Para Ordnance Elite Pro 1911, by Pat Cascio”

The Editors’ Preps for the Week of May 15th, 2017

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To be prepared for a crisis, every prepper must establish goals and make long-term and short-term plans. Steadily we work on meeting our prepping goals. In this column, the SurvivalBlog editors will share their planned prep activities for the coming week, ranging from healthcare and purchases to property improvements and food storage. We also welcome you to share your planned activities for increasing personal preparedness in the coming week in the comments. Let’s keep busy and be ready!

JWR:

This week, Lord willing, we’re continuing with cutting down trees for next winter’s firewood and will be burning yet more slash.

The Rawles Ranch is located in the northern half of the American Redoubt. Here, the snow melted from our ranch only a month ago. Since then, the weather has continued to be very cloudy, rainy, and cold. The high mountains surrounding our valley are still receiving occasional snowfalls, and they may even get some more snow this coming week. Our nighttime temperatures at the ranch this coming week will be flirting with temperatures near freezing. Therefore, we’ve been delayed in putting in our garden this year.Continue reading“The Editors’ Preps for the Week of May 15th, 2017”

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 quirky “tangibles heavy” contrarian perspective of JWR. (SurvivalBlog’s Founder and Senior Editor):

Precious Metals:

First, a bit of satire from Gary Christenson: 17 Reasons To Avoid Gold

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Arizona Legislature Ends Income Taxation On Gold And Silver

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H. Moolman in South Africa: Gold Price Forecast: Gold’s Big Move.  (JWR’s Comment:  Although I’m not a believer in “chartism”, I can safely say that stocks are presently over-bought and gold is over-sold.)Continue reading“Economics & Investing for Preppers”

The Editors’ Quote Of The Day

“If people bring so much courage to this world the world has to kill them to break them, so of course it kills them. The world breaks every one and afterward many are strong at the broken places. But those that will not break it kills. It kills the very good and the very gentle and the very brave impartially. If you are none of these you can be sure it will kill you too but there will be no special hurry.” Ernest Hemingway, A Farewell to Arms

Notes for Sunday – May 14, 2017

On May 14th, 1948, in Tel Aviv, Jewish Agency Chairman David Ben-Gurion proclaimed the State of Israel, reestablishing the Jewish state after 2,000 years. In an afternoon ceremony at the Tel Aviv Art Museum, Ben-Gurion pronounced the words “We hereby proclaim the establishment of the Jewish state in Palestine, to be called Israel,” prompting applause and tears from the crowd gathered at the museum. Ben-Gurion became Israel’s first premier.

The British Army had withdrawn the day earlier and fighting broke out almost immediately. Egypt launched an air assault later in the evening. Despite a blackout in Tel Aviv and the expected Arab invasion, Jews joyously celebrated the birth of their new nation, especially after word was received that the United States had recognized the Jewish state. At midnight, the State of Israel officially came into being upon termination of the British mandate in Palestine.

Lessons From the First TEOTWAWKI- Part 4, by Sarah Latimer

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Order and Unity

In TEOTWAWKI, we will need all the order and unity we can muster. Why not work to build that unity and cohesion now? Why not try to build a peaceful, loving home now, while learning skills and developing respect for one another as man and woman? Find out who you are as a woman and ask the LORD to help you find contentment in who you are, where you live, your circumstances, et cetera. You can work to improve upon these, but contentment is beautiful!

Women are nurturers and certainly can be fighters, too. It’s just fine when someone is seriously threatening harm to you or your child to take action to defend yourself. But hostility, whether physical or verbal, is not usually the appropriate response, especially when there is merely a conflict of ideas. Feminism has emboldened women to become the spokespersons for their families on all matters, speaking their minds passionately. It’s not how order and unity are formed, and it isn’t good for government either.

Women At the Poll

It was once believed that women’s suffrage would end all wars. It’s ironic that all of the major world wars have been fought with the women leading in the number of votes cast.Continue reading“Lessons From the First TEOTWAWKI- Part 4, by Sarah Latimer”

Letter Re: Wandering Roofing Nails

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Dear Hugh,

Glad to see the roofers are done. The problem with those nasty critters–those old galvanized roofing nails popping up like mushrooms on the ground–is easily solved. If your surrounding land is fairly flat, try this: 30 In. Magnetic Sweeper with Wheels. If the land around your home is rough-n-tumble (like mine) just get one of these on the end of a rope and drag it over, under, and around the home. I like this one, since it does “double duty” in my pond as well: 250 lb. Pull Retrieving Magnet. (Note: prices seem to change rapidly for these items on Amazon. Check before buying.)

Those old and usually rusty/corroded roofing nails are prime suspects for foot puncture wounds as well as wounds to our trusty K-9’s feet. (Don’t ask me how I found out about foot wounds; well, it was a 90-minute trip to the nearest ER for a tetanus shot.) Flats to the pickup and farm tractor tires just result in the dear spouse’s blistered ears. YMMV– try other sources, Amazon, Northern Tool, flea markets, et cetera. All the best! – K.W.

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.

Electronic Security

An “accidental hero” noticed that the ransomware hack on Friday was making DNS calls to a nonsensical domain. When he registered the domain name, suddenly the ransomware was stopped cold in its tracks. Apparently, the author of the hack had a built in kill-switch, which checked for the existence of that domain. The researcher has stated that the original author is still unknown, and it would be trivial to rewrite the code to start up again. The current hack may be over, but the battle is still on. It should also be noted that this only stopped the spread of the code. If you’ve already been hacked, it’s too late for you.

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Reader D.B. also pointed out that The Threat Journal is also stating that over 100 nations have been impacted by the Ransomware Attack and that the code is easily changed to keep the attack valid. Microsoft has released a patch for the affected software, so make sure you have your computer updated.Continue reading“The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods:”