"As an Army officer, I learned that in order to be effective, an army must have three key abilities: To move, shoot, and communicate. Take away any one, and you are ineffective. But if you get all three right, you can absolutely devastate an opponent—even one that has vastly superior numbers." – James Wesley, Rawles
Many thanks to those of you that have recently signed up for the 10 Cent Challenge. Your subscriptions are greatly appreciated. Subscriptions are entirely voluntary, but are an important part of my livelihood. (All those $3 per month PayPal payment do add up!)
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Rawles; I live in so-called “rural” western Oregon. Last month I sold my home that was in a Homeowner’s Association (HOA) and moved to a slightly bigger place (3.5 acres, versus 2 )[that is] a few miles farther out into the country, outside of any HOA. Living there [inside the HOA] was worse than living inside city limits. I was forced to move [because] they had some CC&Rs that made it very diffiicult–if not downright impossible–to prepare for a disaster. Under the [“covenants, conditions, and restrictions”] CC&Rs, my storage space for all my survival goodies was …
James: A note about an article you have posted – by David T. It is absolutely not correct. I realize that SurvivalBlog is not dedicated to diesel technology – but since you posted it, I figured I’d comment. I was a Stanadyne pump technician since the 6.2 diesel engine was invented ca. 1982. That’s the engine he’s talking about. I am also well versed in the history of that diesel pump, both in civilian use and in the U.S. military. Our military has had a miserable time with early failures – since the 6.2 and 6.5 diesels power many Humvees …
A left winger comments on Bush’s new National Continuity [of Government] Policy o o o Kansas professor warns of return to ‘Dirty Thirties’ Dust Bowl o o o Detroit shuts off water to scofflaws o o o More on CCD: Organic Beekeepers Report No Losses While Conventional Operations Report Massive Colony Losses
"The future belongs to people who see possibilities before they become obvious." – Ted Levitt (Professor Emeritus, Harvard Business School)
I’m interested in hearing from some more of our overseas readers. (There are lots of you, in more than 70 countries.) I’d really like to expand the Retreat Owners Profiles page, to reflect the wide range of approaches that are used in other regions to increase a family’s survivability. I’d particularly like to hear from anyone that lives in a country plagued by economic troubles and/or social upheaval. I’d also appreciate hearing from anyone living in a country with a severe climate–such as an arctic or desert regions. I’m sure that the readers of SurvivalBlog will benefit from reading about …
Jim, My wife and I are ready to make a purchase of a water purifier. I have taken your advise as a reader of SurvivalBlog and researched the Berkey products and I also looked at Aquarian. I have decided on the Berkey and am leaning toward the Travel Berkey Water Purifier that is listed on Get Ready Industries web site at $199. This unit appears to be usable on the go and as a purification unit in a retreat situation. I would like you thoughts on this unit when you have time. For your information we live in eastern Kansas …
Jim: In case anyone questions the source, the injection pump tip that I mentioned came from a large rebuilder who has seen the interval between rebuilds dropping to as low as six months on pumps with standard parts. Older pumps were designed to be lubed by high sulfur Diesel fuel. Since I was buying a rebuilt injection pump for my veggie oil non-turbo 6.2L Suburban, he strongly recommended the stainless version, which cost 50% more. Lubricity of veggie oil is far higher than any Diesel fuel, but in cold climates we start and stop the engine on straight Diesel. In …
SurvivalBlog reader Matt said that he found a great article on lessons learned from the recent New Jersey wildfire. o o o Just a minor bubonic plague breakout in Denver. o o o War Stretches Nation’s Ammo Supply o o o Jason sent us this one: A young man in Idaho turns 18 and decides to exercise his Constitutional rights inside city limits.
"Much like a muscle that atrophies with disuse, any right that goes unexercised for many years devolves into a privilege, and eventually can even be redefined as a crime." – James Wesley, Rawles
The high bid is now at $325 in the SurvivalBlog benefit auction for a selection of 17 survival and preparedness books.
Mr. Rawles: I was at a gun show last weekend, stocking up on ammo and magazines. A dealer had some original [Ruger] Mini-14 magazines (made at the factory, in white boxes) that were marked “restricted for law enforcement use..” or somesuch, stamped right into the body of the magazine. I also saw some Beretta M92 magazines with a whole bunch of the same kind of “thou shalt not…” small print. I thought that the [Federal] magazine ban had expired. I’m confused here. Could I get in trouble with my local police if I buy magazines with these marks? Thanks, – …
Jim, In a recent SurvivalBlog post, you mentioned buying pre-1965 silver coins of the dime, quarter and half dollar type. What about silver dollars? My family and I are buying junk silver and including the silver Peace and Morgan dollars in our purchases. Should we concentrate on the smaller denominations? – Bill in KS JWR Replies: Unfortunately, the premium on silver dollars is considerably higher than on the smaller denomination coins. When four quarters ($1) would cost you $11 (11 times face value) a 1921 Morgan (the most common date) silver dollar in well-worn condition will cost you at least …
Jim, I just thought I would send you a quick note and tell you about Conservative Match. [Their motto is:] “Sweethearts, not bleeding hearts.” My son found himself a wonderful wife there that fits our family like a glove. It was like she came custom made. Maybe he just got lucky, but he managed to find himself a wife, and myself a daughter in law, that I just did not think were being made anymore. She is conservative/libertarian and home schooled. Oh, and did I mention she has the “survivor gene” and likes to hunt, fish, camp, scout and shoot? …