Month: August 2008

Two Letters Re: Amaranth–A Weed You Can Eat

James, I just wanted to let you know that this plant ([considered] a weed) is usually killed off as a pest, yet is more nutritious then wheat. It grows all over the place and if it was planted on purpose it might help a lot for people looking to survive. Deane’s site is packed full of plants worth looking in to for food! (A good source of info while the power is up! YouTube really does have everything!)’ – Fitzy in Pennsylvania   James Wesley; In response to the person setting up a Michigan retreat, I saw mention of Amaranth …


Letter Re: Reusing Restaurant Food Ingredient Containers

Mr Rawles, I’ve been thinking a lot about storing food like grains in the olive containers that get thrown out at the restaurant where I’m currently working. There made of what I assume to be food grade plastic (olive storage) and looks like they store about 7-to-8 liters. The lid is made of two pieces and has a rubber seal. If I were to wash these off a bit do you think they would serve as long term food containers? Thanks, – Paul from Canada JWR Replies: Those containers should be fine, since they are doubtless made of food grade …


Two Letters Re: Poor Customer Service From Buckshot’s Camp

Mr. Rawles, I hate to bother you, but thought you might have heard if someone was ill or passed away at Buckshot’s camp? I placed an order which was billed out, and never got it. I have called several times and got the recording, and e-mailed also, but have never heard back from them. This has been since May. I was just wondering if you had heard anything about them, and thought maybe you know someone that may know them. The game trap article in today’s blog, brought this up, and I’m just grasping at straws to see if someone …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Reader A.M. in Cocoa, Florida sent a link to a very interesting video clip about a solar/hydrogen powered house. Coveting is a sin, but I must admit that I sorely wish that I had his sort of budget.    o o o Kevin A. recommended a piece of commentary by Darryl Schoon: Don’t Cry For Me Argentina… Save Your Tears For Yourself    o o o Some escalation in the war of words in the nascent Cold War II: Russia Issues warning : Military help for Georgia is a ‘declaration of war’, and Russia bans poultry imports from 19 U.S. …



Note from JWR:

Today’s blog posts include two letters from “Doug Carlton” Those of you that have read my novel “Patriots: Surviving the Coming Collapse” will recognize this real-life individual as the basis for one of the novel’s characters. “Doug” and I attended college and went through ROTC together, back in the early 1980s. He later went on to be a US Army aviator. He now lives in Virginia and works in the transportation industry.


Two Letters Re: The Shenandoah Valley as a Retreat Locale?

Dear SurvivalBlog Readers: I currently live in Virginia and what Jim said about retreat locale selection is generally accurate. That’s not to say “all is lost!”. Hardly, there are some advantages you have in our area that I’ve only found in a couple other places in the US, and you can successfully find a retreat location. You just have to work harder at it. The simple fact that most people live where they do is because it’s easier. The more remote locations, and the more secure, tend to be more work to live in. It’s all balance and trade off. …


Letter Re: Holster, Sling, and Web Gear Recommendations

Jim, Long before the current trend in drop-leg holsters, we used some in Army Aviation to clear the armor on the seats in some specific aircraft. The one I flew had more armor coverage, and frankly even a drop-leg wasn’t going to work, so the shoulder holster was the way to go for me. Tanker wear shoulder rigs, as well as desk jockeys for the very same reason. Your pistol needs to be out of the way to do your primary job. That’s the Army though. Just because Big Army does it, or uses it, it doesn’t mean it’s really …


Odds ‘n Sods:

With Gustav Approaching New Orleans Residents Stocking Up on AR-15s and ammo    o o o KAF sent this: Rat meat in demand as inflation bites    o o o L.A. Police Gear (a likely new SurvivalBlog advertiser) is having a 10% off sale, for Labor Day Weekend. Enter coupon code “LABOR”.    o o o Kevin A. suggested a background article on economics by Louis Even, titled Guernsey’s Monetary Experiment. Here is a key quote: “The issues of national currency by the States of Guernsey caused neither inflation nor idleness. They created activity and prosperity. But these issues did …


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

“At this point, our bet remains that the Feds will go to default mode which means cranking up the printing presses into the red zone, letting the dollar move ever closer to its intrinsic value: zero. That they’ll follow this route is suggested by two inputs. First, a depreciating dollar means a reduction in the trillions of dollars in obligations now owed by the U.S. government. And, secondly, foreign holders don’t vote.” – David Galland, as quoted by The Silver Bear Cafe


Note from JWR:

Today we present another entry for Round 18 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The contest prizes include: First Prize: The writer of the best contributed article in the next 60 days will be awarded two transferable Front Sight  “Gray” Four Day Training Course Certificates. This is an up to $4,000 value! Second Prize: A three day course certificate from OnPoint Tactical. This certificate will be for the prize winner’s choice of three-day civilian courses. Third Prize: A copy of my “Rawles Gets You Ready” preparedness course, from Arbogast Publishing Round 18 ends on September 30th, so get busy writing …


Night Operations–Gain the Tactical and Psychological Edge, Even Without the Aid of Night Vision Devices, by Pete C.

Sometime in the future, in a post-TEOTWAWKI environment, your retreat group may decide to send out small teams to conduct either reconnaissance or security patrols. They may want to collect information on what is happening at the nearest town or confirm/ disprove the accuracy of any information (rumors) previously attained. Whatever the mission, these teams must function as a cohesive unit every time. Their success or failure will depend on everyone’s ability to operate during darkness or periods of reduced and/ or limited visibility (to include rain, fog, snow, etc.) even if they do not have the aid of night …


Odds ‘n Sods:

“I think there is a 90% probability the great crisis will be upon us within ten years” says Richard Maybury, of the Early Warning Report newsletter. Maybury has been uncannily prescient on geopolitical and economics for many years. Thanks, to Nick, for the link    o o o F.M. sent us this: PEMEX Expects Oil Depletion in Seven Years    o o o OSOM flagged this article: Fannie and Freddie Failure Would be Catastrophic. OSOM’s comment: “So the question is, how much of our taxpayer money, and inflationary fiat money will be used to bail them out?”    o o …



Note from JWR:

Many thanks to the several new 10 Cent Challenge subscribers hat have signed up in the last few days. These subscriptions are entirely voluntary, and gratefully accepted. The Memsahib’s recent hospitalization was incredibly expensive, so your support of SurvivalBlog is particularly appreciated this month!