Day: January 14, 2009

Note from JWR:

Just one day left! The high bid in the SurvivalBlog Benefit Auction is now at $1,500. The auction is for a large mixed lot that includes: 1.) A large “be ready to barter” box of full-capacity gun magazines, from the JASBORR. This box includes: 12 – Used original Bundeswehr contract HK91 (G3) steel 20 round magazines, 6 – Used original FN of Belgium-made FN-FAL alloy 20 round magazines, 6 – Used AR-15/M16 USGI (a mix of Simmonds & Colt made) alloy 20 round magazines, and 2 – New and very scarce original FN (Belgian-made) US M1/M2 Carbine blued steel 30 …


Inflation, Taxes, and Self-Sufficiency

I recently received an e-mail from T.F. in Utah, who quipped: “They tell us that inflation is now non-existent. Well, how many years of deflation will it take to get prices back to where they once were? It is noteworthy that the average annual property tax on a house on a city lot now exceeds the entire land purchase price and construction cost of a comparable square footage house, in 1890.” Inflation is indeed insidious. And its has implications that are far-reaching. For example, consider the following: Creeping tax increases one of the reasons that it is now nearly impossible …


Letter Re: Waste Vegetable Oil for Fuel in Diesel Engines

Sir, I purchased a 1982 Mercedes 240D diesel. These old diesels will all run on used cooking oil [also known as waste vegetable (WVO)]. I have run mine for more than a year on 100% used cooking oil with no modification other than a larger fuel filter. You do not have to spend hundreds of dollars for a large capacity diesel filter. I bought a large water filter at the hardware store for around $30. I use the wound rope or string insert that you can buy for less than $20 per pair. It works great for a fraction of …


Letter Re: New “Defiance” Resistance Warfare Movie

Hi; I have learned a great deal from your site and recommend it to my customers (I sell preparedness books). There is a movie being released on January 16th called Defiance. You can go to the movie web site to get a several minute long previews. This is a movie on the Polish Partisans, or resistance forces that fought against the Nazis in World War II. My dentist escaped from communist Poland and told me that her grandfather was a Partisan leader. I have done was research I could to learn about her grandfather and the resistance forces. Basically, as …


Letter Re: Red Dot Sight Battery Longevity

JWR, I have a red dot sight battery, lithium Energizer CR2032, which was stored in it’s original packaging in a refrigerator since May 1996, almost 13 years ago. I recently opened it and have been testing to see if it would still work, at present I have about 11 hours of use on it. I know this is anecdotal, but the point is, if you use red dot aiming devices and it uses one of these type batteries, it is probably worthwhile to store a good supply of batteries for long term use. Regards, – K. in Texas JWR Replies: …


Letter Re: Documentary Film Producer Seeking Interview Subjects

Dear SurvivalBlog Readers: I can’t thank you all enough for the numerous responses to my earlier posting. It’s a pleasure meeting you all and reading about your different approaches to survival and a preparedness mentality. I have been doing my best to respond to all of your emails, but wanted to let you know if you haven’t heard back from me directly, it is not due to a lack of interest, but more the logistics of responding to the volume! I have read through all of the emails that have come my way and encourage those who haven’t responded but …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Dave S. flagged this disturbing news: Treasury: Deficit hits new record in just three months    o o o Northern Tool & Equipment (one our affiliate advertisers), has a special offer that runs though the end of January: Free Shipping on UPS Ground Orders over $149. Use key code: 117231.    o o o Cheryl spotted this: Wisconsin Department of National Resources to Hunters: Hand Over Your Guns on Demand. Cheryl also sent us a fresh batch of economic news and commentary links: Digest: Stocks Shed 4-5%, Gold Dips 2.5%, 7.2% Unemployment — Russia, China, Brazil and India Looming Collapse …