Month: July 2010

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, …



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 …


Surviving A Home Invasion Robbery, by Susan G.

On August 2nd, 1997 I had the hardest choice in my life to make, that was to survive.  Masked men wearing camouflage and carrying guns kicked my front door in at 12:40 am.  I was sitting about five feet from the front door waiting for my son to arrive home for the evening.  I heard my doorknob jiggle.  I thought it was my son trying to get his key in the door.  I made it within two feet of the door and stopped because I had not heard him set his car alarm.  With one kick from a 299 pound …


Letter Re: The Winter Salad

Mr. Rawles: In his book The Winter Harvest Handbook: Year Round Vegetable Production Using Deep Organic Techniques and Unheated Greenhouses, Eliot Coleman has written about his lifelong experience and experimentation with year round commercial farming in snowy Maine. His methods entail no extra heating or lighting, and all produce is grown outdoors during the Maine winter. Specifications include planting schedules. I have not yet tried Coleman’s winter gardening techniques, but I plan to. His research and experience have convinced me to give it a go this coming winter. My small plastic greenhouse, homemade [planting] boxes, and floating cover are ready …


Economics and Investing:

A dark day for personal privacy in America: $600 Sale? Get Ready for Tax Form. Essentially, this makes everyone into unpaid de facto IRS agents. (Thanks to “Boosters” for the link.) Gregory S. sent this: Dollar should be replaced as international standard, U.N. report says Items from The Economatrix: Silver Posting Best Streak Since Hunt Conspiracy No Matter Which Way Economy Turns Stamp of Idiocy (The Mogambo Guru) Home Prices Rose 0.8% in April Over March Consumer Confidence Tumbles in June Oil Prices Plummet on Concerns About US Demands Gold May Reach New Highs on “Double Dip” Fears


Odds ‘n Sods:

Neil G. sent a link to the USDA’s June acreage report: “All wheat planted area is estimated at 54.3 million acres, down 8 percent from 2009. This is the lowest United States total since 1971.”    o o o SurvivalBlog’s Editor at Large Michael Z. Williamson sent us some further evidence that Chinese-made merchandise should be shunned: Dallas store sells U.S. flag with 61 stars    o o o There hasn’t even been a trailer released yet, but the forthcoming remake of Red Dawn looks like it will be quite a film. With a web search, I found an interesting …