B.R.H. sent an item from The Guardian that I suspect was inspired by the remake of the series “Survivors”, (which the BBC aired last Fall): Life after the apocalypse. The article begins: “What if the doomsayers are right … what if society, as we know it, really is about to collapse? Do you have what it takes to make it in a world without electricity and running water? Tanya Gold offers an essential survival guide.” There is a fairly lengthy accompanying video clip of the reporter getting trained. B.R.H. commented: “A member of the ‘Golden Horde’ gets a taste of ‘roughing it’. This is not hardcore survivalism, but a puff piece that includes some bushcraft local to the English countryside.”
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I noticed Mike Vanderboegh’s review the move “Defiance“, posted over at the WRSA site. He makes some important points.
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Chris D. found this one: Oklahoma woman freezes to death in remote Montana cabin. Gee, how many common sense basic preparedness rules did they violate? Only an absolute newcomers to that latitude would think they could get by without laying in several cords of firewood. The story reminds me of a line from my novel: “That winter, they ate the dogs.” (And these newbies didn’t even have the sense to do that.) Common sense, it seems, is all too uncommon. To earn the title “survivalist”, one needs to demonstrate some common sense.
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The day’s economic round-up starting with this “must read” piece:: Roubini Sees Global Gloom After Davos Vindication. (Roubini speaks: “The risk of a near-depression shouldn’t be underestimated.”) And from The Economatrix comes these items: US Set For “Big Bang” Financial Clean-Up — Caterpillar Sets More Layoffs; Weeks’ Total 22,000 — Stocks Stumble on Economy, Earnings Worries — Japan’s Markets Prepare for Horror Week — Jobless Rate Full 10% Higher than Reported — US Economy Sliding Fast; Unsold Goods Piling Up — $1 Trillion “Bad Bank” Gains Favor
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The current high bid in the SurvivalBlog Benefit Auction is at $1,400. This auction, which ends on February 15th, is for a large mixed lot, which includes::
1.) A “be ready to barter” box of 36 full-capacity gun magazines, from my personal collection in JASBORR. This box includes: 12 – Used original Bundeswehr contract HK91 (G3) steel 20 round magazines, 6 – Used original Austrian FN-FAL steel 20 round magazines, with cartridge counter holes, 10 – Used AR-15/M16 USGI (all Colt made!) alloy 20 round magazines, 6 – Excellent condition original Glock Model 19 9mm 15 round pistol magazines (early type, with “U” notch), and 2 – New and very scarce original FN (Belgian-made) US M1/M2 Carbine blued steel 30 round magazines (marked “AYP”) . All 36 of these magazines are of pre-1994 manufacture (and hence legal to possess in New York.) These magazines have a combined value of approximately $710, in today’s market. Note: If you live in a state where full capacity magazines are banned, then you must choose to: refrain from bidding, or designate a recipient in an unrestricted state, or re-donate the magazines for a subsequent auction.
2. ) A brand new-in-box Hot Jaw Bag Sealer and a box of 10 Mylar bags . (Every retreat group should have one these, since they are a tremendous labor saver!) This is a $200 retail value, courtesy of Ready Made Resources.
3.) A huge lot of DVDs, CD-ROMs and hard copy nuclear survival/self-sufficiency references (a $300+ value) donated by Richard Fleetwood of www.SurvivalCD.com
4.) A NukAlert compact radiation detector donated by at KI4U.com (a $160 retail value).
5.) A gift certificate for $100 worth of books, courtesy of Back 40 Books.
6.) A case of 12 cans of recent production nitrogen-packed storage granola (mixed varieties) This is a $96 retail value, courtesy of CampingSurvival.com.
Thus, this auction has a combined value in excess of $1,565. This auction ends on February 15th. Please e-mail us your bid. Your bid will be for the entire mixed lot.