Year: 2009


Note from JWR:

Today we present another entry for Round 22 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. Because I recently dropped Front Sight as an advertiser, the list of contest prizes for this round has been revised: First Prize: A course certificate from OnPoint Tactical. This certificate will be for the prize winner’s choice of three-day civilian courses. (Excluding those restricted for military or government teams.) Three day OnPoint courses normally cost between $500 and $600. Second Prize: A “grab bag” of preparedness gear and books from Jim’s Amazing Secret Bunker of Redundant Redundancy (JASBORR) with a retail value of $350. Third Prize: …


Unconventional Wisdom for CCW Permit Holders, by Mike U.

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Personal Background: I am 65, have never been active duty military, nor in law enforcement. I have, however, legally (licensed CCW) carried a concealed handgun on a regular, daily basis, for most of my adult life. This includes CCW permits in Oregon, Washington, Alaska, and Indiana. When specific circumstances justified doing so (in my personal opinion at the time), I have also carried concealed in California “from time to time” without a CCW. I helped teach a concealed weapons class when living in Alaska by demonstrating how to carry effectively, regardless of weapon size. I have also had no fewer …


Letter Re: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Difficulty Racking Pistol Slides

Dear Mr. Rawles, I recently purchased a Kel-Tec P3AT [.380 ACP pistol] and I am having problems physically pulling back the slide and loading/pushing down ammo into the magazine because I have moderate carpal tunnel syndrome. My doctor advised me to wear wrist splints to decrease the pain of my carpal tunnel syndrome and the numbness that goes along with it. Wrist splints have helped me greatly (in combination with several other approaches), but they have also significantly reduced the strength I have in my wrists and hands. Do you have any specific advice regarding building up hand and wrist …


Mexican Flu Update:

New flu virtually everywhere in U.S. now, CDC says WHO chief kept flu alert level at phase 5+ New York school vice-principal dies from swine Flu (Thanks to KAF for alerting us to this news story) A New, New H1N1 In Mexico? Nations Urge WHO to Change Swine Flu Assessment They want pandemic called only if lots of people are dying (not because it is widespread) because of money: “A pandemic announcement would likely have severe economic consequences: it could trigger expensive trade and travel restrictions like border closures, airport screenings and quarantines, as countries not yet affected struggle to …


Economics and Investing:

From frequent content contributor GG: China holds sway over US Dollar “The U. S. should be afraid, very afraid. China is questioning the dollar’s status as a reserve currency and, at US $1,000 an ounce, gold has become the world’s de facto currency.” – John Ing, Maison Placements in Canada Mike S. suggested a piece titled “Obsessive Housing Disorder” on Michelle Malkin’s blog, that describes the history of our dysfunctional housing market. HPD sent us a link to a piece by economic commentator Mish Shedlock: If You’re Not Petrified of Obama, You’re Not Paying Attention Items from The Economatrix: AP …


Odds ‘n Sods:

EMB suggested this blog piece: Root-cellar plan    o o o Thanks to Scott N. for this link: Critics Deride Bill Designed to Keep Weapons Out of Terrorists’ Hands    o o o JRH Enterprises is running a $2,995 special on new 3rd Generation PVS-14 night vision scopes, with brand-new factory-original image intesifier tubes, complete with certified factory data sheets. If you want the ultimate in retreat security, buy one. Most other dealers sell these same scopes for close to $4,000. You won’t regret it!    o o os Police: Man said 30,000 bullets were for target practice. Did I …



Note from JWR:

I provided the manuscript to the publisher just a week ago, but Amazon is already taking pre-orders for my new book “How to Survive the End of the World As We Know It“. Penguin Books plans to release it in late September or early October. BTW, that is considered a lightning fast turn-around for one of the big New York publishers. I suppose that all the economic and H1N1 flu headlines have them quite anxious to publish a practical preparedness book. OBTW, I am tentatively planning on a “Book Bomblet” Day, so please hold off on ordering. Thanks!


Three Letters Re: Stocking Up on Prescription Medicines

Jim, In regards to stocking up on prescription medicine your readers may want to use the book “Wilderness Medicine“ by William Forgey, M.D. as a good starting point. A couple of other “beginner books” are “Where There Is No Doctor“ by David Werner and “Where There Is No Dentist“ by Murray Dickson. Amazon.com is running a special on all three books for $42. [JWR Adds: The latter two books are available for free download, but I recommend getting hard copies for your survival reference library.] I took the book “Wilderness Medicine“, to my doctor’s office and discussed the list of …


Letter Re: Prince of Wales Island, Alaska as a Retreat Locale?

Sir: I understand your comments on Alaska’s [poor] potential for survival retreats .Your logic is sound and I have to take seriously someone who has thought about these issues longer than I have. But there is always a but…What about Prince of Wales Island, Alaska? Backwoods Home magazine published an article written by a Jon Stram that I have not got out of mind. The article sold Prince of Wales Island very well, so [for counterbalance] I need an unbiased, expert opinion Thank you, – Russell: JWR Replies: You aren’t the first to suggest that locale to me. it. I …


Mexican Flu Update:

CDC: Up to 100,000 Are Probably Infected in US US Deaths at five, all reportedly with underlying health problems. Globally, 7,000 (which means many more cases than have been confirmed) Swine Flu Cases Continue to Rise But No Pandemic Called Yet “Fukuda notes a pandemic has nothing to do with the severity of the disease, but rather with its geographic spread.” Avian Flu Beaten By Cold Noses WHO eyes swine flu transmission rates, new vaccine


Economics and Investing:

GG sent us this: CBO admits for first time chance IMF may default From The Daily Bell: Jim Rogers: Food prices will skyrocket. Raise rates soon or face inflation disaster, experts warn… Items from The Economatrix: Hot In Recession: Cheaper Wine, Chocolate, Running Shoes, Spam GM, Chrysler Dealership Cull to Cost 100,000 Jobs The Return of the Banker’s Bet $3 Trillion Later… “Could there be a better time to be a bank? Governments are endorsing high leverage and guaranteeing huge parts of the financial system, so you get to keep the profits and palm off the losses on the taxpayer.” …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Thanks to Kevin A. for sending this: Navajos largely unscathed by recession. Hmmm… Owning livestock, living self-sufficiently, and living debt free. Does this sound familiar?    o o o Cheryl sent us this: NRA Thrives Amid Fears of Heightened Gun-Control Efforts    o o o A herd of common sense, from a Cody, Wyoming newspaper: Pioneer spirit needed during tough times.(I was pleased to see that the article quotes my top five states for retreats locales.)    o o o KAF sent us links to two interesting pieces on the 1930s: The Great Depression: ‘We were all in the same …