Month: July 2010

Economics and Investing:

Reader Bill R. sent this: Sin Taxes for 2009 at all time high. OBTW, since when is owning a gun a “sin”? G.G. forwarded a link to a piece in The Economist: Gold: Store of value. Also from G.G.: States Dodge Defaults as California May Cut Worker Pay Items from The Economatrix: The Big Crash–America Plunges Into Depression for Real Gold Keeps Rising as Panicky Investors Look for Security Harry Schultz on the Power Elite, Free Markets, The Internet, and Why Gold Is Going Much Higher China Cuts Rare Earth Export Quota 72%, May Spark Trade Dispute With U.S. Inflationville …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Sean recommended an interesting piece about how to gain privacy while flying: fly with a gun. That is a very clever approach. Note that he mentioned that you can simply carry a stripped AR-15 lower receiver in your airline-approved locking case. That is brilliant. Also note that he recommended the Abloy “Puck” padlock, that was previously mentioned in SurvivalBlog.    o o o M.O.B. suggested this item: In Pictures: Shots fired at police in third night of violence in Belfast.    o o o Everlasting Seeds has a 15% off special in progress, just for SurvivalBlog readers. This special offer …


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

"All warfare is based on deception. Hence, when able to attack, we must seem unable, when using our forces we must seem inactive, when we are near, we must make the enemy believe that we are away; when far away, we must make him believe we are near. Hold out baits to entice the enemy. Feign disorder, and crush him. If he is secure at all points, be prepared for him. If he is superior in strength, evade him. If your opponent is of choleric temper, seek to irritate him. Pretend to be weak, that he may grow arrogant. If …


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 …


Getting My Lists Together, by Old Dog in Wisconsin

A Life Altering Moment There are times in one’s life when everything changes.  For me it was it was in early May, just two months ago.   My wife and I were visiting my parents in Florida, and taking the opportunity to check out places where we thought we would like to retire in a few years.  We have been traveling to the west coast of Florida from Wisconsin for over 20 years and were trying to finalize the community we would choose.  As I am still employed, life is basically good. After another round of exploring we chose to escape …


Four Letters Re: Creating Secure Perimeter Fencing with Plant Life

Hi– Great blog and great books! I just finished “Patriots” and enjoyed it. I wanted to add a suggestion, FWIW, re: botanical perimeter fencing. I’ve seen stretches of “trifoliate orange” (Poncirus trifoliata) that are truly impressive in their effect of being -but not looking at all like- the botanical equivalent of razor wire. It is well adorned with a most ferocious array of thorns. It produces smallish bitter-tasting fruits that, if of no other use, are good as an anti-scorbutic. It is not native to the US, but in my opinion, bogeymen aren’t usually well-versed in the finer points of …


Economics and Investing:

Federal budget gap through June tops $1 trillion amid GOP resistance to more government spending. (Thanks to KAF for the link.) Thanks to Brett G. for flagging this one: Fed Warns Economy May Take Five or Six Years to Recover Items from The Economatrix: Obscure Weimar Collapse Book a Cult Hit Central Banks Start to Abandon the US Dollar Top for Silver $100 Per Ounce? Stocks Mixed After Disappointing Retail Sales Data Home Loan Applications Down 2.9% Retail Sales Drop 0.5% in June Oil Dips Below $77 as US Crude Supplies Rise Watchdog: Small Banks Struggling Despite Bailouts A Modern …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Several readers have mentioned a new magazine, called The New Pioneer, now available at news stands, and by subscription. It’s premiere issue was just released. Reader G.S,. described it as “Kind of a combination of Pioneer Living, Mother Earth News and Backwoods Home.” The magazine is edited by Nancy Mack Tappan, the widow of Mel Tappan. It’s published by Country Almanac, part of Harris Publications. When I recently spoke with Nancy, she mentioned that Harris does not yet have a promotional web page for the magazine. Check it out at your local news stand. Editorial mailing address: New Pioneer Magazine, …


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

"How complacent we become when we sit secure, hedged round by laws and protections a government may provide! How soon we forget that but for these governments and laws there would be naught but savagery, brutality and starvation. For our age-old enemies await us always, just beyond our thin walls. Hunger, thirst and cold lie waiting there, and forever among us are those who would loot, rape and maim rather than behave as civilized men. If we sit secure this hour, this day, it is because the thin walls of law stand between us and evil. A jolt of the …


Notes from JWR:

Do you have any favorite quotes that relate to preparedness, survival, self-sufficiency, or hard money economics? If so, then please send them via e-mail, and I will likely post them as Quotes of the Day, if they haven’t been used before in SurvivalBlog. Please send only quotes that are properly attributed, and that you’ve checked for authenticity. Many Thanks! — 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 …


Creating Secure Perimeter Fencing with Plant Life

I’ve read enough about the Golden Horde, mutant zombie biker gangs, and the occasional parent who will do anything to feed their family to know that in a TEOTWAWKI situation not only do I not want anyone breaking into my house, I don’t want anyone to be able to get past the perimeter of my property. I live in a very rural area of the South, surrounded by a few neighbors that would do anything to help someone out, cotton farms, and cows. I’m as far out in the hinterboonies as is possible in this part of the US. Yet, …


Letter Re: Motorcycles as Bug-Out Vehicles

Sir: While they certainly have disadvantages, I think that motorcycles might be helpful in certain survival situations. Two-wheeled vehicles are small, maneuverable, and are very fuel efficient. They’re able to navigate highways and roads that are impassible to cars due to traffic jams and broken down vehicles. Given two or three feet of clearance, a motorcycle can get through and around a lot of obstacles. A single motorcycle can carry two people (a driver and an armed passenger?) and hold a significant amount of detachable luggage (think B.O.B. on steroids). My Suzuki gets 60-70 miles per gallon. Strap a full …


Economics and Investing:

Bill O’Reilly calls it: Economic Disaster on the Horizon. Craig S. sent this: Americans credit scores at new low. “Boosters” flagged this: Presenting The Wall Of Worry: The 50 Ugliest Facts About The US eCONomy. KAF mentioned: Secret gold swap has spooked the market Also from KAF: China to Fight Price Manipulation With Heavy Fines (Hoarding of goods will also be subject to fines of 2 million yuan.) Items from The Economatrix: Stocks Surge After Alcoa, CSX Report Strong Profit Job Openings Drop in May as Hirings Stay Weak Market Slump Expected to Dent Profits at Big Banks Chinese Rating …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Wednesday at noon Eastern Time will be EMPact America’s third show on EMPact Radio. Dr. Peter Vincent Pry will be joined by Professor Cindy Ayers. She is an expert on Islamic terrorism. Please consider listening to the show live and participating via their call-in line (917-388-4499) or live chat. (See the link on blogtalk radio). The chat feature is available during live show only)    o o o F.J. suggested acquiring some coin-sized pocket screwdrivers.    o o o SurvivalBlog’s Editor at Large Michael Z. Williamson sent this sign of the times article, from Oakland, California: Suffer These Crimes in …


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

“I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help [cometh] from the LORD, which made heaven and earth. He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber. Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. The LORD [is] thy keeper: the LORD [is] thy shade upon thy right hand. The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night. The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy …