Day: May 23, 2010

Note from JWR:

Today we present another entry for Round 28 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round will include: First Prize: 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 B.) Two cases of Mountain House freeze dried assorted entrees, in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources. (A $392 value.) C.) A 9-Tray Excalibur Food Dehydrator from Safecastle.com. (A $275 value.), and D.) A 500 round case …


Motorized Survival Bikes, by JIR

When you mention bicycles in the context of survival preparation, most people roll their eyes. I used to feel the same way. The image of pedaling through the apocalypse with mushroom clouds in the background is almost comical. But, after buying a motor kit as a toy and trying it out for a while, I have completely changed my opinion. These are serious machines that may fit a niche in your survival plans. They fit my plans perfectly. We are much more likely to experience a severe economic decline rather than a collapse. In fact, a lot of people would …


Three Letters Re: Four Great Preparedness Myths

JWR: Reading over all the responses to Dan B.’s article, there seems to be a common misunderstanding of the foe we are facing. I have seen several failed states and disasters up close and they are nothing like a “B Movie”. Please don’t expect to face a disorganized mob of lightly armed refugees. The refugees are going congregate in a town nearby. They are not going to storm your cabin, they are going to vote in a town meeting to send professionals to do it. There may be “raiders” in the form of biker gangs or prison escapees (think The …


Economics and Investing:

Volcker Says Time Is Running Out for U.S. to Tackle Fiscal Woe. (Our thanks to RBS for the link.) Chester suggested this bit of frank commentary: The Morality of the Financial Monetary System is Really What is Broken Brett G. flagged this bit of “recovery” news: Week’s unemployment claims jump to 471,000 Items from The Economatrix: Ticking Time Bomb: $600 Trillion in Derivatives at Risk Next Year’s Federal Budget Sinking in Deep Red Ink Reforming Fannie and Freddie Will Slam Home Prices Germany’s ‘Desperate’ Short Ban Triggers Capital Flight to Switzerland Fading of Inflation Helps Buyers and Borrowers Food Price …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Estimate for Nashville property damage from flood tops $1.9 billion. The eventual insurance tab may surpass the New Orleans flooding, in the wake of Hurricane Katrina!    o o o Nic mentioned that the excellent Gun Test consumer review magazine has come out with a new online magazine – Gun Reports – to cover the multiplicity of guns and gear that can’t fit in their print magazine:    o o o Savings Experiment: Where better batteries meet bargain power. (Thanks to Matt in Oklahoma for the link.)    o o o Judy T. was the first of several readers to …


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

"Grace be to you and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God." – 2 Corinthians 1:2-4