Day: December 26, 2009

Letter Re: “Range, Range in the Home”

Sir, I would expect that most readers of SurvivalBlog either are good marksmen already, or desire to be better marksmen. I consider myself to belong to the latter group with skills that place me, at best, in the very modest middle of that category. As the prices of ammunition and reloading components increased during this past year my visits to the range became fewer and fewer while my skills languished accordingly. This is not good for someone who hopes to be better prepared to put meat on the table, or to defend oneself. Not long ago my younger brother was …


Letter Re: Root Cellar Alternatives

Hi Jim, Thank you so much for the wealth of information on your blog. It is encouraging to see so many people working towards self-sufficiency. I was recently introduced to a gardening concept called Square Foot Gardening. There are several advantages to the concept not the least of which are: much less area needed to grow a bounty of fresh veggies, no longer needing to till a large area that only grows plants in a few inch-wide rows, less watering, no weeds, and also no need for numerous gardening tools to tend your crops. A friend used this method last …


Letter Re: Covert Home Power for When The Grids Go Down

Hello, I just wanted to pass along a link to a company that sells new made in USA alternators for common vehicles, 190 up to 270 amps, and brackets and belts to run duals. the base model 190 amp puts out a 130 amps at idle ( factory puts out maybe 60 amps, on a full size truck) these things look built to last, and would run an inverter a lot better than stock, never mind worrying about burning out your electrical system. I will be getting one of these soon! As usual just an interested consumer, not affiliated with …


Economics and Investing:

Bailout nation continues: Schwarzenegger to seek federal bailout of California on threat of deep cuts. (Thanks to GG for the link.) Also from GG: Austria nationalises Hypo in ECB-backed rescue deal because of “systemic importance in the former Yugoslavia”. Items from The Economatrix: Fitch: Britain and France Risk Losing AAA Rating Thrifty Families Accused of Prolonging the Recession UK: Families Hit By Worst Wages Crash in 50 Years By way of Steve Quayle‘s web site: National Irish Bank Stops Handling Cash Lack of Bank Liquidity Threatens Commercial Real Estate Market States’ Jobless Funds Going “Absolutely Broke” Economic Data Dump For …


Odds ‘n Sods:

The Road hits the theaters. (Thanks to SurvivalBlog old timer Charley S. for the link.)    o o o Safety First: Frozen lake leads to tragedy for California family. People do love their pets, but human life must be preserved, above all!    o o o Reader F.G. mentioned this smokin’ deal: Complete MOLLE II pack, frame, straps, ruck, belt, and sleep bag carrier sets for under $50


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

"A people may want a free government; but if, from insolence, or carelessness, or cowardice, or want of public spirit, they are unequal to the exertions necessary for preserving it; if they will not fight for it when it is directly attacked; if they can be deluded by the artifices used to cheat them out of it; if by momentary discouragement or temporary panic, or a fit of enthusiasm for an individual they can be induced to lay their liberties at the feet of even a great man, or trust him with powers which enable him to subvert their institutions; …