Month: January 2022

January 12 1879, the British-Zulu War began. British troops, under Lieutenant General Frederic Augustus, invaded Zululand from the southern African Republic of Natal.

On this day in 1737: John Hancock was born. He was the first signer of the Declaration of Independence.

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A USB Stick Update: The first batch of 1,000 waterproof/EMP-resistant 2005–2021 SurvivalBlog Archive USB sticks sold out in just four days! We are now taking backorders on a second batch of 500 sticks. Deliveries of the first batch will begin in mid-February. Deliveries of the second batch will begin on or around March 1st.

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SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

Today we present another entry for Round 98 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include:

First Prize:

1. The photovoltaic power specialists at Quantum Harvest LLC  are providing a store-wide 10% off coupon. Depending on the model chosen, this could be worth more than $2000.
2. A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate. This can be used for any of their one, two, or three-day course (a $1,095 value),
3. A course certificate from onPoint Tactical for the prize winner’s choice of three-day civilian courses, excluding those restricted for military or government teams. Three-day onPoint courses normally cost $795,
4. Two cases of Mountain House freeze-dried assorted entrees in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources (a $350 value),
5. A $250 gift certificate good for any product from Sunflower Ammo,
6. American Gunsmithing Institute (AGI) is providing a $300 certificate good towards any of their DVD training courses.
7. Two sets of The Civil Defense Manual, (in two volumes) — a $193 value — kindly donated by the author, Jack Lawson.

Second Prize:

1. A Front Sight Lifetime Diamond Membership, providing lifetime free training at any Front Sight Nevada course, with no limit on repeating classes. This prize is courtesy of a SurvivalBlog reader who prefers to be anonymous.
2. A Glock form factor SIRT laser training pistol and a SIRT AR-15/M4 Laser Training Bolt, courtesy of Next Level Training, that have a combined retail value of $589,
3. Two 1,000-foot spools of full mil-spec U.S.-made 750 paracord (in-stock colors only) from www.TOUGHGRID.com (a $240 value).
4. A transferable $150 FRN purchase credit from Elk Creek Company, toward the purchase of any pre-1899 antique gun. There is no paperwork required for delivery of pre-1899 guns into most states, making them the last bastion of firearms purchasing privacy!

Third Prize:

1. Three sets each of made-in-USA regular and wide-mouth reusable canning lids. (This is a total of 300 lids and 600 gaskets.) This prize is courtesy of Harvest Guard (a $270 value)
2. A Royal Berkey water filter, courtesy of Directive 21 (a $275 value),
3. Two Super Survival Pack seed collections, a $150 value, courtesy of Seed for Security, LLC,
4. A transferable $100 FRN purchase credit from Elk Creek Company, toward the purchase of any pre-1899 antique gun.

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More…

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As a veteran, specifically an Army veteran, I find that my view of survival is different from people who have never served in the armed forces. While my personal journey as a survivalist began before my time in the service; that just meant that my time in the Army became part of my survival education. As such, the two play off each other, with my military training altering my view on survival and my survival mindset affecting how I viewed military service.

In the military there are three categories of people: friendlies, foes and non-combatants. But non-combatants can’t be assumed to be friendly or safe. They may very well be agents provocaturs for the other side, helping the enemy, while remaining under the cover of not being seen as a threat. This was a serious problem during both Gulf Wars, so anyone who is not a friendly has to be looked at as a potential threat.

When it comes to survival, we’re dealing with two enemies at once: whatever nature has thrown at us and all the unprepared people out there. Not all of those people are going to turn into enemies, but the possibility exists that any of them can. That’s something that has to constantly be in the back of your mind.

A preemptive attack is not an option, as part of the military ethos is to protect the innocent and attacking might move them from the neutral column into the enemy column. At the same time, it is foolish to not recognize the danger that those people can become when they are desperate.

Location is Key

Being from the Army, I’m all but compelled to look at any survival situation as one in which I have to be able to defend myself. While I hope to avoid confrontation, I don’t really believe that is possible. Therefore, I see picking the right location as key to survival. I’m not talking about a survival retreat that I would bug out to; I’m talking about my primary residence, where I expect to be when the SHTF.

As far as I’m concerned, being in the city is a big mistake. There are just too many people for comfort.

Each of those people are a potential threat and developing a defensive plan that allows me to protect my family from all of them would require a company of infantry.

Following my military training, I’d set up my home camp in a small town, where there are many fewer threats, unless I can set up my home camp out in the boondocks, where nobody could find me.

Related: Home Security Tips From A Military Expert

If you have to live in the city, then go for a combination of low population density, while being on the high ground. The high ground is always an advantage, defensively speaking and a lower population density means a smaller attack force, should…

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The grossly misnamed Equality Act is a government attack on the rights of private property, freedom of assembly, freedom of association, free enterprise, and freedom of contract. According to the official summary of bill (H.R.5):

This bill prohibits discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity in areas including public accommodations and facilities, education, federal funding, employment, housing, credit, and the jury system. Specifically, the bill defines and includes sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity among the prohibited categories of discrimination or segregation.

The bill expands the definition of public accommodations to include places or establishments that provide (1) exhibitions, recreation, exercise, amusement, gatherings, or displays; (2) goods, services, or programs; and (3) transportation services.

The bill allows the Department of Justice to intervene in equal protection actions in federal court on account of sexual orientation or gender identity.

The bill prohibits an individual from being denied access to a shared facility, including a restroom, a locker room, and a dressing room, that is in accordance with the individual’s gender identity.

Not surprisingly, the Equality Act is supported by the usual left-wing suspects like the ACLU, the Anti-Defamation League, the Southern Poverty Law Center, the NAACP, the AARP, and the National Organization for Women, the American Federation of Teachers, NARAL, Planned Parenthood, the American Psychological Association, and LGBTQ rights groups. But it is also supported by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and many of America’s largest companies, including Apple, Amazon, Facebook, Twitter, Google, Microsoft, eBay, Starbucks, Kellogg’s, and Johnson & Johnson. It even has the support of some religious denominations and groups, including the Episcopal Church, the United Methodist Church, the United Church of Christ, and the Interfaith Alliance.

The Equality Act has been languishing in the U.S. Senate since March 1 of this year. It was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives on February 18 and passed just a week later by a vote of 224–206. Every Democrat in the House voted in favor of the bill, but only three Republicans did. Although as of this writing, the Senate has not yet acted on it, the bill has a good chance of passing in the second session of the 117th Congress when Democrats see the handwriting on the wall that spells out “Republican landslide” in the 2022 midterm elections. The Republican alternative to the Equality Act, the equally misnamed Fairness for All Act, is no alternative at all if property rights mean anything.

Background

To understand the Equality Act, we must begin with the Civil Rights Act of 1964. It claimed to be:

An act to enforce the constitutional right to vote, to confer jurisdiction upon the district courts of the United States of America to provide injunctive relief against discrimination in public accommodations, to authorize the Attorney General to institute suits to protect constitutional rights in public facilities and public education, to extend the Commission on Civil Rights, to prevent discrimination in federally assisted programs, to establish a Commission on Equal Employment Opportunity, and for other…

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For some people, there is no such thing as getting lost. Those are the kinds of people who can easily find their way around a city as they can in a natural setting. Let me start by saying I am not one of those people. However, my husband is. Over the years, I have gleaned both insights and experiences that can help the directionally challenged.

Preparing to Navigate

In one sense, many of the problems associated with being directionally challenged come from both your perception and those of the people around you. Unfortunately, when your expectations of yourself and your abilities decrease, then you will do worse and wind up creating your reality. Before you go out for a walk or get behind the wheel, it is essential to be relaxed and in a positive mental state.

Here are some things that will make it easier to feel comfortable:

• First, don’t automatically believe that navigating in unusual directions (aka “getting lost”) will always cost time and effort without any reasonable return. I’ve discovered all sorts of excellent shortcuts, stores, and other places that turned out to be very useful later on. Even if you do wind up spending more time right now on a navigation issue, it could easily save you time and money later on if you pay attention to what is around you and what you can learn from it.
• Second, accept the fact that you may be re-routed from a known path to a destination or that you may wind up getting off track for some other reason. Start early rather than leaving yourself just enough time to get to your destination. At a minimum, leave yourself one hour for every 15 minutes of expected travel (I’ll explain why later). This way, even if you make it to your destination in the expected time, you have plenty of time to relax and prepare for whatever you are planning to do at your destination. For example, years ago, when I commute from a country setting into the city, I started at least one hour early. Since there was a gym near my workplace, I purchased a subscription and spent 45 minutes there before going into work on the days when I had no navigation problems.
• Third, make sure you are focused and relaxed. Turn off the cell phone, the radio, and anything else that will make you feel stressed. If you tend to look at the dashboard clock and get stressed by the time passing, put a piece of tape over it. When you are in the car, you should focus entirely on your driving. At most, use some music from CDs or other sources that won’t have commercials or other interruptions that will spoil your mood. Unless you are driving in bad weather or need to know about the traffic ahead, it is best to keep the radio off. If you must listen for these…

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The Soil Learning Center is a hub of resources for farmers & growers who are on the regenerative journey. A platform created by soil lovers at Farming Secrets Media Group.

The goal of Soil Learning Center is just that: creating a central online space bringing together resources, education, content and inspiration, to better your growing practices, boost profits and product quality with an emphasis on sustainability and promote freedom from climate change.

For today’s modern farmers, you can’t afford to not know about regenerative farming and how these practices can help you succeed. 

We’ll also discuss successful stories from other farmers and growers who have found their unique solutions using nature’s tools with this new form of agriculture. 

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Solar generators are an excellent alternative to conventional power sources. Many homeowners who live in rural regions or rely on off-grid power sources as their primary energy source frequently turn to solar generators due to the many ways they can use such power sources. If you’re an off-grid survivalist or looking to save hundreds of dollars on power bills, an investment in a solar generator is a great advantage.

Generators that use solar energy are environmentally friendly and environmentally sustainable, and have gained popularity with people. They have prompted many to buy solar power generators for their homes and business. Numerous governments and organizations worldwide have taken on the task of helping people change to solar generators for power. Here are the reasons you should consider using the solar energy generators

Eco-friendly Energy Supply

Solar energy generators provide clean, renewable energy. It decreases your exposure to the harmful effects of fossil fuels, such as oil and coal.  The electricity generated by solar panels does not generate greenhouse gases or any other harmful byproducts.

The depletion of ozone is a significant problem facing our planet in the present. Therefore the reduction of your exposure will greatly minimize the impact you have on the world’s environment. 

Low-maintenance Cost

Another major benefit is that it eliminates regular utility bills in favour of savings with renewable energy. Energy is free. The sun is a renewable source of energy that has been in existence for many millions of years and will shine even after we’ve gone. It is possible to harness the power through solar panels to your home without ever paying an electricity bill.

No Fumes

The benefit of solar generators for power is that there aren’t any fumes, as opposed to other fuels such as coal, natural gas, wood, and oil, which produce emissions when used. The absence of harmful fumes makes it secure for those around it as well as the environment. Solar panels energy offers an environmentally friendly and clean alternative to generate electricity.

No noise

Solar panels are silent. They don’t emit any sound, which is perfect for people living near airports or other places with strict noise regulations. They’re much quieter than other methods of energy generation, too.

Long-term

Solar power generators function automatically, without the requirement for monitoring or adjustments. It makes it an investment for the long term that will guarantee a long life span.

Although solar power is renewable, clean, and can reduce the cost of utility costs. However, there are some drawbacks to solar power systems.

Low Energy Generation

Once you have installed the solar panels you have to wait a long time before your panels start generating electricity. The reason why this happens is because they need direct sunlight in order for this process to happen. You might want to add batteries or a generator that would store some energy so that you could use it when you don’t have any direct sunlight available.

High Initial Cost

Although solar panels can be costly, they are profitable over time due to their…

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Native Americans were “preppers’ ‘centuries before the phrase was ever first uttered. In the most austere of primitive conditions the tribes not only survived, but they thrived.

These indigenous people made it through hundreds of harsh winters without starving to death due to their abundance of their food cultivation and preservation techniques.

Approximately 60 percent of the food that is eaten around the world was either created or discovered by Native Americans. It was the Native American approach to survival food that first got me interested in growing a Three Sisters garden and Jerusalem artichokes.

Long before Native Americans were impacted by explorers from Europe, they grew, foraged, and hunted for all of their own food – and preserved excess for the hard cold months of winter.

Their food garnering and preservation skills along with long-range planning prevent starvation in times of cold weather, flooding, and drought.

Native Americans planned to grow, forage, and hunt for the exact types of food that would fill their bodies with strengthening nutrients that would keep their bodies fueled and healthy for their rugged lifestyle.

Not all Native Americans ate, grew, hunted, or foraged the exact same food items. Regional and even tribal differences existed, yet the same protein-rich focus formed the basis of the diet of all tribes.

The indigenous people also used every possible part of a wild edible, crop, or meat for their meals, herbal remedies, clothing, tools, supplies, and dyes.

Even though a minor portion of Native American tribes could be deemed solely a foraging and hunting or agricultural tribe, most used a combination of foraging, farming, hunting, and fishing to provide food for the tribe.

Everyone had a job to do, from the very young to the very old, when it came to stockpiling and preserving food for the winter months.

Regardless of regional location, all Native American tribes had a diet that involved the eating of nuts, seeds, wild game and oftentimes, corn.

The more agricultural tribes also widely grew squash, beans, peppers, and a wide array of herbs that were used for both eating and in natural remedies.

Both wild plants (wild greens) and foraged fruits were also a large part of the daily diet of Native American tribes. All of the food grown, hunted, or foraged by indigenous people could be dried in the sun or smoked over a fire to preserve it for long-term use.

Three Sisters Garden

Beans, corn, and squash are the three components to a companion growing plan that has been dubbed the “Three Sisters” by Native American tribes.

These three crops were planted together to not only improve their growing potential but also to prevent weeds at ground level while providing support at the upper level.

Native Americans believed the Three Sisters crops to be a very sacred gift from the “Great Spirit” because of the amount of food and nutrients they offered. The <a…

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