Month: April 2009

Letter Re: Backpackers of the Apocalypse: Selecting and Ultra-Lighting Your Bug-Out Bag

Hello Mr. Rawles, I would like to comment on the recommendations for Bug Out Bags: Do not include an axe. It is a crude cutting device prone to making copious whacking noise while in use. Bugging out must be accomplished almost silently… But do carry an Ontario 18″ Machete . It cuts branches up to 1.5 inches thick in a single cut when sharp. My Ontario Machete is now more than 30 years old. It has been thoroughly used during military operations and during a tour of duty in Africa with the Peace Corps. Get a good flexible sheath with …


Three Letters Re: Why Survivalists Should Buy Local Organic Food

Mr. Rawles, Yesterday, you posted Chad L.’s submission concerning buying “organic” and/or locally produced food. In it, Chad made a few statements that are simply wrong. This is an example: “…factory farming requires the use of fertilizer made from oil, largely derived from the Middle East. ” This is a wholly ignorant statement, ignorant because if the author had bothered to check, he would have found that the USA produces nearly all of it’s nitrogen fertilizer from natural gas. Even if we did use oil as the source for ammonium nitrate, OPEC only accounts for about half of the oil …



Odds ‘n Sods:

Chester sent us the link to his “must watch” video Real Gunfighter Lance Thomas on Justice Files. The lessons to be learned: If you live in a bad neighborhood, then relocate, as soon as possible. But regardless, get the best self defense tools and training that you can afford.    o o o Bill Six spotted this: ‘Open season’ declared on Mason Co. criminals    o o o F.R. forwarded a link to a masterful piece of gray propaganda: Rightwing Extremism: Current Economic and Political Climate Fueling Resurgence in Radicalization and Recruitment. Its liberal bias is subtle but is a …


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

"Those, who have the command of the arms in a country are masters of the state, and have it in their power to make what revolutions they please. [Thus,] there is no end to observations on the difference between the measures likely to be pursued by a minister backed by a standing army, and those of a court awed by the fear of an armed people." – Aristotle 384–322 BC


Notes from JWR:

Have a joyous Easter. Our Savior is risen! — The high bid in the SurvivalBlog Benefit Auction is now at $1,260. This auction ends on April 15th. It is for a large mixed lot, which includes:: 1.) A Warrior Aid and Litter Kit, donated by Ready Made Resources. This is an advanced medic kit package that includes a Talon II 90C folding handle collapsible litter, which normally retails for $560, just by itself. This truly a “full up” tactical trauma kit! This sophisticated medic kit normally retails for $1,500. 2.) A “be ready to barter” box of 26 full-capacity firearms …


Why Survivalists Should Buy Local Organic Food, by Chad L.

I know the name of the woman who raises the chickens that lay the eggs that I eat. Do you? I know about her daughter’s college plans and her vacations and how she got into the business of raising chickens. This might not seem so important from a survivalist perspective, but I think it is and I’ll explain why in the following paragraphs. Now think about where you get your eggs. Chances are they come from a big chain grocery store. That means they are raised in a huge factory farm, staffed by underpaid workers of questionable legality, and overwhelmingly …


Economics and Investing:

HPD mentioned a piece in Mish’s Global Economic Trend Analysis: Bartering Services to Combat the Recession David V. sent this: Social Security Bomb About To Explode Items from The Economatrix: Economic Crisis: No End In Sight; Worse Than The Great Depression. “Today five US banks according to data in the just-released Federal Office of Comptroller of the Currency’s Quarterly Report on Bank Trading and Derivatives Activity, hold 96% of all US bank derivatives positions in terms of nominal values, and an eye-popping 81% of the total net credit risk exposure in event of default.” (JPMorganChase, BofA, Citibank, Goldman Sachs, HSBC, …


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

Joshua S. found a link on the “Kyoto Box” stove.    o o o From Cheryl: New Food Crisis Looms    o o o I found a good piece on edible and useful Cattail plants.    o o o Beginning at Sunrise, Easter morning, the folks at Everlasting Seeds are offering a 20% discount on all products except the Medicinal Garden, just for SurvivalBlog readers. You’ll have to use this link to get the Special price. The sale ends at sundown on Saturday, April 18th


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

And when I think, that God, His Son not sparing; Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in; That on the Cross, my burden gladly bearing, He bled and died to take away my sin. When Christ shall come, with shout of acclamation, And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart. Then I shall bow, in humble adoration, And then proclaim: "My God, how great Thou art!" – Excerpt from the Hymn How Great Thou Art, based on the poem O Store Gud, written by Carl Gustav Boberg, in 1885. Translated from the Swedish by Stuart …


Note from JWR:

Today we present another entry for Round 22 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The contest prizes include: First Prize: 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 22 ends on May 31st, so get busy writing and e-mail us your entry. Remember that articles that relate practical “how to” skills for …


Good Fences Make Good Neighbors: Reinforcing Your Retreat for Long Term Survival on the Cheap, by Q.T.

We’ve all heard that particular proverb. For those of us reading this venue, we all have a specific mindset that probably keeps that at the forefront of our minds. We have our space. We have our preps. We have spent time and effort placing a lot of emphasis on keeping ourselves one step ahead. So how do we keep out everyone else?. Better yet… how do we keep prying eyes out? Still best, how do we create our sanctuary without drawing any attention to ourselves whatsoever? We can build a fence, but a fence can be cut. Fences cost money. …


Letter Re: How to Spot a Front Sight Graduate

Jim, I get e-mails from Front Sight students all the time reporting to me how they often draw a crowd at shooting ranges as people marvel at their marksmanship, speed, and gun handling. The question they are always asked is, “Where did you learn how to shoot like that?” Of course they respond with “Front Sight!” Well here is a twist on that experience from someone who recently e-mailed me: Dr. Piazza, I just wanted to send you this e-mail and let you know about an experience I had several months ago. I work part time at a shooting range …


Economics and Investing:

I heard about this piece over at the Dr. Housing Bubble blog: Marketing Consumerism in the Boom and Bust Economy: Four Advertisements Showing the Shift in Consumer Buying Habits: Pizza, Airlines, Real Estate, Toxic Assets, and the Simpsons. The bit about Homer Simpson’s home equity line of credit (HELOC) was priceless. Eric H. flagged this one: Chinese re-embracing Marx and Mao in face of economic woes. Eric’s comment: “So much for all those ‘relax, they are becoming more like us and our differences are disappearing’ stories we were told in the past decade or so.” HPD alerted us to a …


Odds ‘n Sods:

DD forwarded this link, from MSN: Five foods that are cheaper to grow    o o o From Cheryl: Ammo Shortages Have Police Scrambling for Sufficient Rounds    o o o More news for the Whack ‘n Stack tally: Armed Ohio couple stops home robbers    o o o M.O.B. sent this: Feinstein will not pursue assault weapons ban for now. Is this supposed to give me a warm, fuzzy feeling? Rather, it strikes me more like a “Hitler plans to stop his army’s advance at The Sudetenland For Now” sorta news story.