Year: 2009

Note from JWR:

Today we present another entry for Round 22 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. Because of the recent shake-up at Front Sight, 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: A …


Diverters and Pre-Filters for Roof Rainwater Catchment, by Dim Tim

I have had this idea floating around in the back of my mind for some time now, and with all the posts on the subject here lately, I decided it was time to share it with everyone. I hope some of you find it useful. What got me started to thinking about this was a movie on DVD that I watched recently, titled Twenty Years After. (2008) It is about people that have survived a nuke war, the disease and death that follow, and the hope that humanity will still survive. It is not the best post-SHTF movie that you …


Economics and Investing:

Yishai was the first of several readers to mention this “must read” piece: US speeding towards financial crash   Jimmy G. sent this: Stocks still face deflationary collapse: Prechter. I agree that there will be deflation, but only in the short term. I still see Uncle Sugar’s only viable option is inflating their way out of this mess. This leads me to coin a new motto: Never underestimate the ability of governments to print money. Items from The Economatrix: Six Insurers to Get Billions in Bailout Money (JWR Notes: The MOAB won’t stop growing!) GM to Close 1,100 Dealerships Consumer …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Denny Z. sent us a link to a YouTube clip of a comedy classic: Archie Bunker on Gun Control    o o o “John Smith” suggested a You Tube clip of a James Burke “Connections” documentary episode from 1978. Burke’s description of the 1965 New York blackout illustrates the interconnections and fragility of urban society. It is rather prophetic. Given our far greater tecnological dependence these days, it some serrious food for thought.    o o o Cheryl sent this: Another 1,225,980+ Guns Bought By Americans in April 2009 This number is based on just the background checks by FFL …



Note from JWR:

Congrats to M.G., the high bidder in the SurvivalBlog Benefit Auction that ended last night. I’ve decided to at least temporarily discontinue the auctions, since a few readers have complained that my mention of the auction bids is too distracting and “too commercial.” If you’d like to support the blog in other ways, see our Support page. Thanks!


Letter Re: Which Form of Precious Metals?

James, My experience with [US Mint] Silver Eagles is similar to your description [of their lack of widespread recognizability]. I traded 1 silver eagle for some merchandise at $20 USD per Eagle. The person was happy. I explained to them that this was 1 oz. of silver and at the time of the trade it was equal to the amount that I told them. A few days later I went back seeking to trade again and they told me that since the face value [marked] on the coin was $1 USD that it was all the value they would exchange …


Adios to Naish Piazza, But Perhaps Not to Front Sight

This news article was published yesterday: Business as Usual? Front Sight Assets Seized. Please take the time to read it. I haven’t yet been in touch with the new management at Front Sight to get any additional details. Last night, I dismissively posted a piece to SurvivalBlog, castigating the plaintiffs in this case. But then I spent several hours later last night doing web searches about the various Front Sight lawsuits, and it was an eye opener. Up until yesterday, I had thought that only one of the lawsuits had any merit, and that Naish Piazza was merely a convenient …


Economics and Investing:

Dimitri Orlov on The New Money (A hat tip to Ruby and Vlad’s Mom) The truth escapes the lips of BHO: Obama Says U.S. Long-Term Debt Load ‘Unsustainable’ I’m praying that he does the right thing, but given the composition of Big Government/Big Taxes/Big Deficits policy wonks that were picked for his Cabinet, I have my doubts. Thanks to B.H. for this video link: “The Worst Is Yet to Come”: If You’re Not Petrified, You’re Not Paying Attention GG sent us this: China’s yuan ‘set to usurp US dollar’ as world’s reserve currency Items from The Economatrix: Even BoE Has …


Odds ‘n Sods:

KAF flagged this article: U.S. Has Plan to Secure Pakistan Nukes if Country Falls to Taliban    o o o Jason mentioned that Ammoman is selling brand new original Colt-made 30 round AR-15 magazines for about the same price that most gun show sellers are charging for generic USGI contract magazines.    o o o Cheryl saw this video clip and recommended it: Lou Dobbs: Obama Pushing Anti-Gun Treaty


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

“Whole nations depends on technology. Stop the wheels for two days and you’d have riots. No place is more than two meals from a revolution. Think of Los Angeles or New York with no electricity. Or a longer view, fertilizer plants stop. Or a longer view yet, no new technology for ten years. What happens to our standard of living?… Yet the damned fools won’t pay ten minutes’ attention a day to science and technology. How many people know what they’re doing? Where do these carpets come from? The clothes you’re wearing? What do carburetors do? Where do sesame seeds …


Notes from JWR:

As a follow-up to my recent Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ) newspaper interview, a German blog for ex-pats (and would-be ex-pats) called Auswandern – Adieu Deutschland! posted an interview, in both a German edition, and an English edition. — The bidding ends at midnight (eastern time) tonight! The high bid in the SurvivalBlog Benefit Auction. is now at $1,350. This auction is for a large mixed lot, which includes: 1.) A Three-Color Desert Camo Interceptor OTV (Outer Tactical Vest) size XL only, and a spare Woodland camouflage outer shell, kindly donated by BulletProofME.com. These items have a combined retail value of …


Letter Re: Year-Round Gardening

Dear James, We’re currently busy in the beginning ground laying of the construction phase of adding a large greenhouse onto our enclosed garden plot, which is completely enclosed with 12 foot high fencing with a solar security system. This addition was decided in consideration of the foreseeable need for us to be able to add a winter season grow room for year long vegetable growing and over-wintering of our heirloom stock. It will also allow us to save our best heirloom plants and clone them, from season to season to jumpstart the spring grow times and yields. I am sharing …


Letter Re: Stocking Up on Prescription Medicines

James, I have just visited with our family physicians about a stockpile of prescriptions medications. Seems that two of them are "preppers" and are putting a plan together for their families. They physicians are more than willing to write scripts for meds, they really are supportive of the plan and like the Wal-Mart list. For some reason, they will not recommend specific drugs, they will prescribe but not recommend. I wonder if a pharmacist and Ranger Doc might be willing to put together a specific list of recommended prescription items and you could put it in the blog. This would …


Two Letters Re: That Post Die-Off Fragrance

Mr. Editor: In regards to EM Joe’s post regarding “That Post Die-Off Fragrance,” I too spent 30 years in Public Service as a Forensic Investigator attending and investigating numerous death scenes and autopsies involving decomposing bodies. I used to use copious amounts of Vicks Vapor-Rub, both on my upper lip and even stuffed up the nose. One day, while attending an autopsy on a real “stinker”, the pathologist conducting the post mortem exam observed me and my faithful jar of Vicks and informed me that if I used enough of the stuff I would eventually erode away the mucus membranes …