Day: April 1, 2010

Notes from JWR:

And the winner is… We’ve completed the judging for Round 27 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The judging was very difficult, since there were dozens of great articles submitted! First Prize goes to Dan in Oklahoma for his four part article: The Home Foundry, Metal Casting, that was posted in February, 2010. He will receive all the of the following: A.) 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, and …


Letter Re: Gold and Silver Equal Future Purchasing Power

Jim Wesley: Today it is as difficult for a person to fathom gold at $5,000 per ounce as it was for a person to fathom $1,000 per ounce back in 2002.  After all, hold a Krugerrand, in your hand and try to imagine it being worth the purchasing power of $5,000 – enough to buy a good running, nice looking used car.   Dollar predictions of gold are naturally what a prudent investor considers — today’s Internet articles find predictions ranging from “headed  back down to $500” to “heading up to $6,500 in the coming years”.  I must admit, I have …


Letter Re: Advice on Pistol Holsters

JWR, I have been perusing the articles on SurvivalBlog.com on assembling a set of web gear. The part I am stuck on is selecting a holster. I have an LC-2 web belt that I want to put the holster on, which requires a holster that can be strapped on to the belt since most holster loops won’t slip over the plastic buckle. I’ve looked at the [Bianchi] M12 holster that is issued by the US armed forces for the [Beretta] M9 [and M1911], which is designed to strap onto the LC-2 belt. I also read on your site that you …


Two Letters Re: Some Home Chemistry Tricks of the Trade

James, Just a quick note. [In his article on home chemistry,] RPM suggests acquiring some Pyrex measuring cups and bowls for handling hot liquids & mixtures. Pyrex is no longer made from the low thermal expansion Borosilicate laboratory glass. The trademark name was sold to a Chinese firm and the glassware is now made from regular soda lime glass [you can tell from it’s bluish tint] – and may shatter from rapid changes in temperature. People around the country are being injured from the “new” Pyrex as it literally explodes on their stovetops. This is corporate greed at it’s finest! …


Economics and Investing:

Mike M. sent this article on The Greece Crisis, American Style: State Debt Woes Grow Too Big to Camouflage Thanks to Damon for sending this: Morgan Stanley: The Rally Is Near Its End The dollar’s danger: A debt-driven collapse? (A hat tip to GG for the link.) Also from GG: Housing market’s recovery appears at risk Items from The Economatrix: Central Banks Stashing Away Gold at a Brisk Pace America: Prepare for an Avalanche of New Taxes An Economic Puzzle Bernanke Can’t Solve Oil Rises Near $84 with Weak Dollar


Odds ‘n Sods:

J.K. sent this article that gave me a bit of Northern Exposure reminiscence: Move to Northern Minnesota and get $240k? J.K.’s comment: “Unfortunately you have to be a dentist. If I was one I’d be ‘chomping’ at this opportunity.”    o o o Ron. R. sent this: The kitchen is my closet; Meet the kitchenistas — New Yorkers who store their clothes in ovens and fridges. Ron’s terse comment on this ingrained lack of preparedness: “It won’t end well in Manhattan.”    o o o The DVD of seasons 1 and 2 of the British post-pandemic television series “Survivors” will …