Note from JWR:

Today we present another entry for Round 29 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. This one is too short to qualify for consideration in the judging, but had enough merit to justify posting. (I encourage writers to include greater depth of detail and references.) 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 …




Sustainable Chicken Farming, by Sheila C.

I have been raising chickens for eggs during the past several years, and I would like to share some of the secrets I have learned for long term food production. I like free range eggs, but have found that chickens pose certain conflicts with other necessities that can be quite frustrating. And reproducing chickens can be quite a trick these days. Chickens are a very good source of sustainable food from eggs and meat and also have side benefits, but it’s good to know some of the tricks. I hope this article can help preppers get ready and give a …




Letter Re: A Brief Review of the Movie “Right at Your Door”

James Wesley: I watched the [R-rated] 2006 movie Right at Your Door on a cable movie channel this weekend. [It is also available as a “Watch Instantly” streaming video from Netflix.] The scenario was that there were multiple dirty bombs in Los Angeles– initially thought to be chemical, later revealed to be viral agents. [The film follows the protagonists’s reactions to] real-time self-defense (duct tape and plastic), the chaos of getting to the “retreat” of one’s home, reveals some poor thinking and planning and its consequences, and shows the deadly nature of likely governmental “help” for some victims in such …




Letter Re: The Stamp of Idiocy

James: Here in Michigan Food Stamps are paid electronically to each person’s account. The recipients are then issued a card to pay for their purchases. The card has a picture of the Mackinac Bridge on the front so they are referred to as “Bridge Cards.” The Mogambo Guru’s Stamp of Idiocy article states that over 40 million people receive Food Stamps. This is scary to think about. But a few of my observations makes one wonder how many people actually deserve the benefits. When I picked my daughter up from school last month both my wife and I were appalled …




Three Letters Re: Surviving A Home Invasion Robbery

James: First thank you for your site; helping others and spreading the word of Jesus Christ. A few years ago I came across a company called Armor Concepts and their product Door Jamb Armor. After watching video on their site, I decided to purchase three sets for every entry door to my home. I’m 100% positive that no one will kick in my door – in fact, one of their videos shows how hard it is to bust the door in even with a police battering ram. I’ll admit it’s not the most decorative, but I can almost guarantee very …




Economics and Investing:

KAF sent us this: National debt soars to highest level since WWII Thanks to RBS for spotting this: Oregon city turns off streetlights to save money Courtesy of reader John R.: Corruption Suspected in Airlift of Billions in Cash From Kabul. (Gee, do you think it might be suspicious?) I was doing some web wandering, and I found a fascinating history piece on AIG, and its parent company, AIC. Items from The Economatrix: Europe’s Banks Still on Life Support Roubini Says Greece Needs Orderly Debt Restructuring to Avoid “Inevitable Default” Britain “Might Not Cope with Another Bank Emergency” You Don’t …




Odds ‘n Sods:

James C. sent this: Army begins shipping improved 5.56mm cartridge.    o o o Some interesting insights on wilderness living can be gained from this–especially the article’s last few lines: Cambodian ‘jungle woman’ flees back to wild Cambodia’s “jungle woman”, who spent 18 years living in a dense forest, has fled back to the wild after struggling to adapt to society.    o o o Chris M. sent this: Terrafugia Transition ‘flying car’ gets go-ahead from US air authorities. Simply amazing. Like a lot a lot of “dual use” devices, I suspect that it isn’t particularly good at either one, …