Day: April 23, 2010

Letter Re: You May Not Need to Buy New 12 Volt Batteries

Jim: The 12 volt DC lead-acid batteries employed in most readers’ vehicles, power storage systems and backup supply systems are expensive, have finite life spans and are a critical link in the timely operation of equipment required to respond to short term and long term grid-down situations. Aged batteries become unreliable, but are difficult to keep in a state of readiness and when deemed “spent” their replacement puts a drain on already limited financial resources. Most people have battery chargers and the know-how to use them in an effort to keep older – or infrequently used – batteries in a …


Letter Re: Some Useful Online Resources

Howdy, I love the blog. I am preparing for regional disasters associated with living in Los Angeles and I thought your readers might like these two links. The first one is Global Security.org where among other things, they have free e-copies of [nearly] all of the current Army Field Manuals. The second one is a bit out of context but I think is quite informative given the nature of this community, it comes from DisasterSafety.org which as it happens is a building contractor web site that certifies builders to build and/or retrofit buildings to withstand natural disasters and such. They …


Seven Letters Re: Choosing the Appropriate Handgun for You and Yours

Introductory Note From JWR: Lest this devolve into an endless “Ford Versus Chevy” type debate, after today’s posts, I don’t plan to post anything further on this particular thread. Hi, Jim, You’ve been getting lots of info about the “caliber wars” (again) and being the die-hard “don’t care what caliber you got” aficionado I am, I thought you and your readers may find some interest in this article: The “Center Mass” Myth and Ending a Gunfight. Maybe it’s the definitive report on the handgun “caliber wars and which does what to whom”. Thanks for a great site, Jim. I appreciate …


Economics and Investing:

Brett came a link to this “must read” piece by Robert Wiedemer: A Coming Avalanche of Inflation Also from Brett: Davidowitz: This Market Is a Sucker’s Rally. A video of some truth that they let slip into CNBC: Stay Clear of Western Markets and Currencies. Global investing analyst Martin Hennecke warns: “Sovereign debt crisis in the western countries is really getting underway…” and “The blow-up of sovereign debt is the final step of the financial crisis.” Hennecke is also bullish on commodities and warns of a global financial meltdown with high interest rates and high inflation. (Our thanks to George …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Judy T. sent these links: Oil rig explodes off Louisiana coast and Transocean Deepwater Horizon oil rig explosion shows new risks    o o o Thanks to L.J. in England for spotting this: Rabbit meat is enjoying a renaissance in the UK.    o o o Reader “MadMarkie” sent a note that might be of interest if you have an Outdoor World store nearby. Outdoor World currently has the Marlin Model 795 semi-auto .22 cal. rifle on sale for $99.94 after a mail-in rebate. Normal retail is $149.99, on sale for $124.94 and comes with a mail-in rebate coupon for …


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

“I say that the Second Amendment doesn’t allow for exceptions – or else it would have read that the right ‘to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed, unless Congress chooses otherwise.’ And because there are no exceptions, I disagree with my fellow panelists who say the existing gun laws should be enforced. Those laws are unconstitutional [and] wrong – because they put you at a disadvantage to armed criminals, to whom the laws are no inconvenience.” – Harry Browne, at a meeting with the NRA’s Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre and other panelists at a gun rights rally …