Note from JWR:

Today we present another entry for Round 29 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), D.) A 500 round case of …




Riots and Civil Unrest in America, by B.B. in California

I am writing this article not to glorify what I have seen, but perhaps to make some of you think about some unknowns.  I am a U.S. Army veteran who served in the 1980s, and when I honorably discharged I was recruited into law enforcement at a termination of service briefing at Fort Irwin, California.  From there I went into law enforcement in Los Angeles for over 20 years and never looked back.  I am writing this article because many people are writing about living through and how to survive civil unrest (I am sorry, a riot is a riot …




Letter Re: An Arms and Armor Maker Recommendation

Sir: I recommend that you and your readers look into Windlass Steelcrafts, a company with a wide range of hand-weaponry, armor, etc., from ancient to modern. Most swords, for example, on the market are soft stainless steel. This company provides swords made from a variety of steel, including layered, high carbon, Damascus steel. These people make real weapons: “Its founder, Mr. V. P. Windlass set up this manufacturing plant to supply the British Gurkha regiments with Kukris, their main sidearm weapon.” Here is information on how they manufacture swords. Some examples of their weaponry: A Damascus Viking Sword Erbach Sword …




Economics and Investing:

Dormant accounts to fund ‘big society’ bank. (A hat tip to Chris P for the link.) Norman A. mentioned: King World News interviewed John Williams of ShadowStats. Anthony M. sent this item: Nearly half of North Carolina’s state-chartered banks ‘troubled’ Items from The Economatrix: The Real US Unemployment Rate Could Be 25% Or More US Consumer Confidence Slides To Lowest In A Year The Geography of a Recession (Now updated through May, 2010) Stocks Slump on Weak Revenue for Goldman, IBM Home Construction Sinks to Lowest Level Since October Desperate Retailers Push Christmas in Summertime




Odds ‘n Sods:

Greg M. spotted an article that underlines the vulnerability of SCADA systems: New virus targets industrial secrets    o o o The folks at Ready Made Resources now have a special sale in progress on a very small quantity of full mil-spec AN/PVS-14 Gen 3+ weapons sight monoculars. These are autogated and complete with military issue monocular head mounts, manuals, sacrificial lenses, mil-spec soft nylon carry cases, et cetera. The price is just $2,995, which is less than most dealers charge for a standard Gen 3 scope. (And again, these are the much more sought after Gen 3+ variety.) I …