Month: July 2006

Odds ‘n Sods:

I just finished reading Michael Z. Williamson’s well-crafted trilogy of counter-terrorist sniping novels, set in the present day. (The Scope of Justice, Targets of Opportunity, and Confirmed Kill.) All three were very well written, believable and downright riveting. The first is set in Pakistan, the second in Romania, and the third in Indonesia, but all three feature the same duo of U.S. Army snipers. Unlike most of the schlock military fiction that pervades the mass market, Williamson’s books are technically and tactically correct. By describing both urban and wilderness engagements, tailored equipment to suit specific missions, and using widely divergent …



Note From JWR:

As I was at the keyboard late this afternoon, listening to Edith Piaf via iTunes, our #3 Son strolled in and calmly announced that there was a rattlesnake in the yard, just 20 feet from the front porch. So I snatched the closest weapon at hand: The Memsahib’s stainless steel .45 Colt Commander. Coincidentally, I been doing some work on that pistol earlier in the day, upgrading it with a bunch of Wilson Combat parts that arrived yesterday from Heartland Sportsman’s Supply. These were: an adjustable target trigger, a checkered stainless steel mainspring housing (I hate the plastic factory original …


Letter Re: The Importance of Storing Salt for Preparedness

Hello, I noticed folks talking a bit about salt lately…what I didn’t notice is whether or not anyone has talked about mineral needs? If folks are going to buy a bunch of salt, they might want to remember that iodized salt would be a good idea. Iodine is one of those necessary minerals, that has become deficient in our soils across the nation. Normally, we could get it through the plants we eat. However, if it’s deficient in the soil were you live, you won’t get enough. Yes, you can also get it from seafood. However, if your retreat is …


Letter Re: 8 Ply SUV and Light Truck Tires?

Jim: Reading up on the article/manual “Aids to Survival“, (Western Australia Police Academy, 1998, 86 Page Word Doc once unzipped.) from the site referenced on your blog. Regarding tires .. or tyres….. they recommended 8 ply. Gosharooty, my HMMWV tires are only 6 ply. (No, they aren’t on a HMMWV, military Hummers leak, are cold in the winter and hot in the summer and they make my butt hurt.) Anyway, how about some info on the 8 ply tire?. That just doesn’t ring a bell with me as being common in CONUS. What’s the story here? My requirement are: 32×11.50-15, …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Ragnar, over at The Claire Files, mentioned a great site from the Boy Scouts with lots of useful resources on camping, woodcraft, and outdoor survival skills.    o o o Inside the Blackwater private army    o o o Farm Animal Biochipping: Wisconsin Grandma is an Outlaw      o o o Condi Rice: Cease Fire Between Israel and Hezbollah, yes, but no Status Quo Ante Bellum  


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

Jake: What’s this? Elwood: What? Jake: This car. This stupid car. Where’s the Cadillac? The Caddy? Where’s the Caddy? Elwood: The what? Jake: The Cadillac we used to have. The Blues Mobile! Elwood: I traded it. Jake: You traded the Blues Mobile for this? Elwood: No. For a microphone. Jake: A microphone? Okay I can see that. Well, what the h**l is this? Elwood: This was a bargain. I picked it up at the Mount Prospect City Police auction last spring. It’s an old Mount Prospect Police Car. They were practically giving them away. Jake: Well, thank you pal. The …



Letter Re: Thinking the Unthinkable, By Norman Church

Jim, I would like to add a little something to Mr. Church’s article. I have worked in the refining and petrochemical business for over 30 years. I am not a chemical engineer nor a mechanical engineer, however, I am a piping designer. I design the routing or path all the pipes in a refinery or petrochemical plant take to move product from one piece of equipment to another. Basically it’s like a giant chemistry set. Now, I know what a lot of sheeple don’t understand about oil is that it is not only energy (gasoline) that we get from crude …


Letter Re: My Journey of Realization–Getting Back on Track and Stocking Up

Dear Mr. Rawles, I just finished reading your seminal work, “Patriots: Surviving the Coming Collapse” for the third time in as many weeks. In addition, after some internet searching I’ve found your blog, and am in the process of reading everything that I can, when I can. After reading so much of what’s on your mind, I thought I’d share a little of mine. First, foremost, and most importantly, I want you to know that your book was instrumental in leading me back to God, the Father of our savior Jesus Christ. I won’t delve into the diverse ways in …


Odds ‘n Sods:

An important piece to read by Sean Osborne, “World War IV –The War of Terror    o o o Bud Conrad, writing in The Daily Reckoning, illustrates that with the Baby Boomers beginning to retire and draw Social Security, time is not on our side in the U.S.: Projected U.S. Government Debt Will Grow More Than GDP    o o o Global warming = Happy Reindeer



Note From JWR:

Oops! Jake Stafford reminds me that in yesterday’s announcement I forgot to say that you can still order the “Rawles Gets You Ready” preparedness course, and your order will be filled promptly, shipping out by the end of this week. It’s not too late to order.


Two Letters Re: Selecting a Martial Art and a Dojo

Dear Jim, Over the years, I’ve spent I-don’t-know-how-many hours in dojos of various lineage. Now, older (but only questionably wiser) I’ll toss out a few caveats for the consideration of anyone who wants to undergo marital arts training: 1. Decide from the outset why you want to learn a martial art and do not deviate from that goal. If it’s for recreation, exercise, balance, spiritual enlightenment or whatever, that’s fine. Practice kata to your heart’s content, learn how to breathe into your danjun and meditate until ch’i runs from your pores. But – recognize from the start that the vast …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Walter at NoNAIS.org mentioned a device under development that would destroy RFID tags. Keep in mind that if the USDA thinks that you are purposely disabling your livestock’s tags they will give you $1,000 fine if and when NAIS registration becomes mandatory.    o o o SurvivalBlog reader Sid recommends the Wunderground.com weather web site. He says that it is more comprehensive than its competitors. My first impression is that it does a great job of fusing weather data from multiple sources, including weather radars.    o o o Planning to stock up on lantern batteries? Get the Eveready Energizer …