As editor of The Liberty Daily and owner of Discern Report, I spend more time sifting through headlines than 99.999% of the population. I’m sure there has to be someone out there who does absolutely nothing other than read and/or watch various news sources who might have more hours logged everyday than I do, but I definitely put in the time 365 days per year.
My feed carries over 300 conservative news sites, blogs, and video channels that updates in near-real-time and I read the headlines of about 90% of it daily. That’s literally thousands of headlines that I read with hundreds of the stories scanned and dozens fully read or watched. I have a unique understanding of the biases, styles, and nuances of these outlets and as a result I know who to trust, depending on the topic.
This is extremely important today, perhaps more than ever, with so many important events hitting us incessantly. On today’s episode of The JD Rucker Show, I’ll be going through as many of these outlets as possible with my assessments of the good, bad, and ugly. I’ll also be taking calls and reacting to chats as they come in to keep it as interactive as possible. This will also help me to learn more about other outlets; any time I do a show like this I get word about outlets that I need to add to my feed.
Here’s a sampling in no particular order of a dozen of the outlets I trust and why. Considering I read through so many every day, this list should NOT be construed as encompassing. I could write about 50 outlets I like but that would be too long. Twelve is a good starting point, and I’m sure I’ll talk about many more during my show today. Here’s the abbreviated list…
The Gateway Pundit
When it comes to speed of getting out breaking stories, few can compete with Jim Hoft’s outlet. They’re on the ball with the headlines and they have no problem with getting a little “fringe” from time to time. Sometimes their reporting is very short, but it’s fast so there’s always a tradeoff.
Revolver News
If The Gateway Pundit is often fast and thin, Darren Beattie’s Revolver News is often slow and thick with their original content. But they have the luxury of going in-depth with older important stories because they curate the breaking news from other sources on their homepage so they have the best of both worlds. Their coverage of January 6 is unmatched and their adherence to the MAGA philosophy us unquestionable.
Liberty Sentinel
Alex Newman is the most underrated journalist in America today. He has a sharp mind and a clear vision of the geopolitical threats Americans face today and into the future. If I had $100 million laying around I’d build a news outlet around him because the only thing he lacks is reach.
The Epoch Times
Of all the corporate news outlets out there, The Epoch Times is generally the most trustworthy. They are not afraid to call out Covid vaccines, voter fraud, or any of the other “taboo” topics the vast majority of corporate media sites avoid. An added bonus is that their economic news coverage is lowkey stellar; I would argue they have a better grasp of financial realities than sites like Bloomberg that supposedly specialize in money-talk.
Zero Hedge
Some have a problem with the “allegiances” held by the guys who run Zero Hedge, but I’ve found that it’s pretty easy to distinguish between any self-serving propaganda and the real news they deliver. And if The Epoch Times is stellar at delivering financial news that’s on-point, Zero Hedge does the deep dives some people need to get the full financial picture.
End of the American Dream and The Economic Collapse Blog
Michael Snyder is definitely polarizing. Some love him. Others can’t stand him. He’s an alarmist at times, but he puts in the time to do the research and draw conclusions based on an appropriate combination of facts.
Just The News
John Solomon’s outlet takes great care in being accurate. That’s part of their namesake, which means they will sometimes be a bit slow on delivering the news. On the other hand, they often get scoops. But whether the news is hot-off-the-press or a reiteration of what was being reported the day before, you can trust whatever they publish is going to be real and verified.
Alt-Market
Brandon Smith is a genius. I disagree with him from time to time as his assessments can occasionally be nihilistic, but for the most part he nails it. He’s an economic stallion who adores freedom and is willing to recommend actions the vast majority of journalists would think are too “fringe.” For this reason I read everything he ever posts.
Todd Starnes
It’s funny that in an article about news bias I find myself invoking my own bias about Todd Starnes. The Fox News refugee has really shined as an independent news outlet of his own, and I’m biased because I consider him to be a friend. But like Just the News, he and his team go to great lengths to make sure every word they publish is accurate. They also add the speed that other similar news outlets can’t match. If a story breaks, chances are high that Starnes has a story up within minutes.
Headline USA
If any news outlets deserves to be bigger than they are, it’s Headline USA. They do a fantastic job of getting the most important news patriots need to read, but for whatever reason they don’t get nearly the attention they deserve.
RAIR Foundation
Of all the outlets on today’s list, RAIR is the one that takes the most heat internationally. They’re often accused of being “Islamophobic” because their articles expose Islam, terrorism, and unchecked migration from Muslim nations into Europe. They don’t hide their concerns about these issues and as a result they get negative labels. But I’ve never seen them post anything that’s inaccurate. Being critical does not mean they’re wrong.
Natural News
Mike Adams, who I consider to be a friend, has put together one of the most controversial news sites on the internet. They’ve been cancelled more than other “fringe” sites like Infowars to the point that their links aren’t even allowed on Facebook. Before Elon Musk bought Twitter, you couldn’t post their links there either. But they’re absolutely fearless and tackle topics that others won’t touch. My only complaint is that some of their stories are aged. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing; just because a story broke last week doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be talking about it today.
Again, this list is far from comprehensive. It’s a starting point from which I’ll launch today’s show. We’ll be talking about a lot more news outlets and I’ll take calls from people who will almost certainly offer up outlets I’m not currently watching. Tune in at 5am Pacific on Rumble, or catch me on shortwave at 7490 kHz or 13845 kHz.
Five Things New “Preppers” Forget When Getting Ready for Bad Times Ahead
The preparedness community is growing faster than it has in decades. Even during peak times such as Y2K, the economic downturn of 2008, and Covid, the vast majority of Americans made sure they had plenty of toilet paper but didn’t really stockpile anything else.
Things have changed. There’s a growing anxiety in this presidential election year that has prompted more Americans to get prepared for crazy events in the future. Some of it is being driven by fearmongers, but there are valid concerns with the economy, food supply, pharmaceuticals, the energy grid, and mass rioting that have pushed average Americans into “prepper” mode.
There are degrees of preparedness. One does not have to be a full-blown “doomsday prepper” living off-grid in a secure Montana bunker in order to be ahead of the curve. In many ways, preparedness isn’t about being able to perfectly handle every conceivable situation. It’s about being less dependent on government for as long as possible. Those who have proper “preps” will not be waiting for FEMA to distribute emergency supplies to the desperate masses.
Below are five things people new to preparedness (and sometimes even those with experience) often forget as they get ready. All five are common sense notions that do not rely on doomsday in order to be useful. It may be nice to own a tank during the apocalypse but there’s not much you can do with it until things get really crazy. The recommendations below can have places in the lives of average Americans whether doomsday comes or not.
Note: The information provided by this publication or any related communications is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as financial advice. We do not provide personalized investment, financial, or legal advice.
Secured Wealth
Whether in the bank or held in a retirement account, most Americans feel that their life’s savings is relatively secure. At least they did until the last couple of years when de-banking, geopolitical turmoil, and the threat of Central Bank Digital Currencies reared their ugly heads.
It behooves Americans to diversify their holdings. If there’s a triggering event or series of events that cripple the financial systems or devalue the U.S. Dollar, wealth can evaporate quickly. To hedge against potential turmoil, many Americans are looking in two directions: Crypto and physical precious metals.
There are huge advantages to cryptocurrencies, but there are also inherent risks because “virtual” money can become challenging to spend. Add in the push by central banks and governments to regulate or even replace cryptocurrencies with their own versions they control and the risks amplify. There’s nothing wrong with cryptocurrencies today but things can change rapidly.
As for physical precious metals, many Americans pay cash to keep plenty on hand in their safe. Rolling over or transferring retirement accounts into self-directed IRAs is also a popular option, but there are caveats. It can often take weeks or even months to get the gold and silver shipped if the owner chooses to close their account. This is why Genesis Gold Group stands out. Their relationship with the depositories allows for rapid closure and shipping, often in less than 10 days from the time the account holder makes their move. This can come in handy if things appear to be heading south.
Lots of Potable Water
One of the biggest shocks that hit new preppers is understanding how much potable water they need in order to survive. Experts claim one gallon of water per person per day is necessary. Even the most conservative estimates put it at over half-a-gallon. That means that for a family of four, they’ll need around 120 gallons of water to survive for a month if the taps turn off and the stores empty out.
Being near a fresh water source, whether it’s a river, lake, or well, is a best practice among experienced preppers. It’s necessary to have a water filter as well, even if the taps are still working. Many refuse to drink tap water even when there is no emergency. Berkey was our previous favorite but they’re under attack from regulators so the Alexapure systems are solid replacements.
For those in the city or away from fresh water sources, storage is the best option. This can be challenging because proper water storage containers take up a lot of room and are difficult to move if the need arises. For “bug in” situations, having a larger container that stores hundreds or even thousands of gallons is better than stacking 1-5 gallon containers. Unfortunately, they won’t be easily transportable and they can cost a lot to install.
Water is critical. If chaos erupts and water infrastructure is compromised, having a large backup supply can be lifesaving.
Pharmaceuticals and Medical Supplies
There are multiple threats specific to the medical supply chain. With Chinese and Indian imports accounting for over 90% of pharmaceutical ingredients in the United States, deteriorating relations could make it impossible to get the medicines and antibiotics many of us need.
Stocking up many prescription medications can be hard. Doctors generally do not like to prescribe large batches of drugs even if they are shelf-stable for extended periods of time. It is a best practice to ask your doctor if they can prescribe a larger amount. Today, some are sympathetic to concerns about pharmacies running out or becoming inaccessible. Tell them your concerns. It’s worth a shot. The worst they can do is say no.
If your doctor is unwilling to help you stock up on medicines, then Jase Medical is a good alternative. Through telehealth, they can prescribe daily meds or antibiotics that are shipped to your door. As proponents of medical freedom, they empathize with those who want to have enough medical supplies on hand in case things go wrong.
Energy Sources
The vast majority of Americans are locked into the grid. This has proven to be a massive liability when the grid goes down. Unfortunately, there are no inexpensive remedies.
Those living off-grid had to either spend a lot of money or effort (or both) to get their alternative energy sources like solar set up. For those who do not want to go so far, it’s still a best practice to have backup power sources. Diesel generators and portable solar panels are the two most popular, and while they’re not inexpensive they are not out of reach of most Americans who are concerned about being without power for extended periods of time.
Natural gas is another necessity for many, but that’s far more challenging to replace. Having alternatives for heating and cooking that can be powered if gas and electric grids go down is important. Have a backup for items that require power such as manual can openers. If you’re stuck eating canned foods for a while and all you have is an electric opener, you’ll have problems.
Don’t Forget the Protein
When most think about “prepping,” they think about their food supply. More Americans are turning to gardening and homesteading as ways to produce their own food. Others are working with local farmers and ranchers to purchase directly from the sources. This is a good idea whether doomsday comes or not, but it’s particularly important if the food supply chain is broken.
Most grocery stores have about one to two weeks worth of food, as do most American households. Grocers rely heavily on truckers to receive their ongoing shipments. In a crisis, the current process can fail. It behooves Americans for multiple reasons to localize their food purchases as much as possible.
Long-term storage is another popular option. Canned foods, MREs, and freeze dried meals are selling out quickly even as prices rise. But one component that is conspicuously absent in shelf-stable food is high-quality protein. Most survival food companies offer low quality “protein buckets” or cans of meat, but they are often barely edible.
Prepper All-Naturals offers premium cuts of steak that have been cooked sous vide and freeze dried to give them a 25-year shelf life. They offer Ribeye, NY Strip, and Tenderloin among others.
Having buckets of beans and rice is a good start, but keeping a solid supply of high-quality protein isn’t just healthier. It can help a family maintain normalcy through crises.
Prepare Without Fear
With all the challenges we face as Americans today, it can be emotionally draining. Citizens are scared and there’s nothing irrational about their concerns. Being prepared and making lifestyle changes to secure necessities can go a long way toward overcoming the fears that plague us. We should hope and pray for the best but prepare for the worst. And if the worst does come, then knowing we did what we could to be ready for it will help us face those challenges with confidence.