Day: April 5, 2010

Letter Re: The Storage of Food as a Strategic National Reserve

Mr. Editor: Many nations around the world, including the USA, place great importance on Fuel Reserves as a Strategic National Resource. However, of growing importance and also greatly unrealized, is the fact that food reserves are at least as strategically important as fuel reserves to the security of any nation and maybe more so. When thinking of a primary food reserve, one would assume that wheat is a major food resource of the USA, and it is. In 2009, the USA was responsible for producing 2.22 billion bushels of wheat. However, of growing national importance and a growing possible concern …


Letter Re: Understanding Hydrocarbon-Based Fuel

Mr. Editor: I wanted to comment on the article “Understanding Hydrocarbon-Based Fuel”: There is good info in this article but it really sells ethanol short. I think it will give preppers the misconception to stay away of ethanol. I’ve been studying ethanol for a couple years. I run an oil burner I’ve converted, and intend to build a large still. My 2000 Ford F-150 will run 50% ethanol without issues. It will run 100% E-85 fine but the check engine light will come on because the oxygen sensor sees too clean of exhaust. There are lots of false and manipulated …


Letter Re: Spokeo and OPSEC

Howdy, Last night on the news I heard a report about a new web site called Spokeo that combines phone book information, map info, personal info and social networking site info to create a profile for people. [It is an OPSEC threat.] I typed in names for my family and was surprised at the amount of info that was available. You can go to their “Privacy” page (linked at the very bottom and on the right) to remove a name. I did it this morning and it already took us off. Just to let you know in case you also …


Letter Re: Advice on Pistol Holsters

Jim, One more small tip on holsters, specifically the Blackhawk holsters with the single finger tension release. As an NRA Instructor who’s taught many handgun shooters, I’ve seen problems with the release when someone is under stress, as in a practical range exercise. One of my fellow instructors showed me a small addition to the holster, which I have retrofitted on all of mine. Simply take a small piece of stair tread tape, sometimes called skateboard tape (which is essentially sticky backed sandpaper), and attach it to the area of the release that needs to be depressed to release the …


Letter Re: Concealed Carry Reciprocity Resources

JWR, While concealed carry reciprocity [as recently discussed in the blog, with accompanying maps] is the best way to ensure legality of concealed carry in other states, it does not tell the whole story. For example, Washington state does not recognize a concealed carry permit from Idaho or Montana. However, Idaho and Montana honor one from Washington. If I was to only have looked at the Washington reciprocity page I would not have known that. I have found the best way to be absolutely sure it to check the individual states web site, but the previously given links did do …


Economics and Investing:

Voting with their feet: “Atlas Shrugged” taxes blow up in Maryland’s face. Thanks to Richard Z. for the link. Marc Faber and Mish Shedlock on Inflation, Deflation, Doom and the End of Civilization. (Thanks to Aaron for the link.) RBS spotted this: Sharp Increase in March in Personal Bankruptcies. (So this is the “Recovery”?) Water bills go up in down economy as usage drops. (Thanks to RBS for the link.) Items from The Economatrix: Health Plan May Hobble Economic Recovery CBO: Student Loan Takeover Adds $52 Billion to Deficit Harrisburg, Pennsylvania May Miss Debt Payment; Go Into Chapter 9 Bankruptcy …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Thanks to IJS for sending this: Firestorm over wolf introductions erupting throughout Western states    o o o A reader mentioned the portable photovoltaic power systems made by Powerenz.com. They look interesting, but I haven’t yet seen this gear in person.    o o o SurvivalBlog’s Editor At Large Michael Z. Williamson sent us a video clip with a warning on contaminated imported seafood.