Day: August 1, 2010

Note from JWR:

Today we present the first entry for Round 30 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 …


SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Winners — Round 29

We’ve complotted the judging for Round 29 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The winners are: First prize goes to Old Dog in Wisconsin for Getting My Lists Together, posted on July 15th. He will receive all of the following: 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.) …


Agroforestry (Forest Gardening), by Prepared in Maine

I’m going to say something shocking: gardening with annuals is expensive in terms of inputs: time, seeds, fertilizer, and land. You many exceptional but I’d bet that many would starve or be forced to leave home if you had rely on gardening (whether due to inexperience, crop failure, or lack of resources). Some articles here have touched on agroforestry concepts, but I hope this brings these together for mutual benefit. What the heck is agroforestry? Agroforestry (or Forest Gardening) is gardening in three dimensions using perennial plants that provide food and useful materials for humans (fiber, medicinals, dyes, edible leaves, …


Real World EMP Effects on Motor Vehicles, by Michael Z. Williamson

I distilled the following from another forum: See the EMPCommission.org links. The auto testing results are on page 112 of that report. They tested a sample of 37 cars. Here is a summary of the results: Most cars will not even stall. In a test, where cars were subjected to EMP conditions, they tested both with cars turned ON, and cars turned OFF. I quote “No effects were subsequently observed in those automobiles that were not turned on during EMP exposure.” NO EFFECTS FOR CARS THAT WERE TURNED OFF during the EMP, they just started right up. EMP effects on …


Letter Re: How to Bypass Blocked Web Sites

Dear JWR: In response to the posting by Tamara W., I would like like to furnish an addendum. The post references an “Internet Kill Switch” which has recently been signed into law. As I am sure that you and most of your Internet savvy readers are aware, there are two distinct ways that the PTB (Powers That Be) can “kill” the Internet. The first is relatively trivial. This is by corrupting or otherwise disabling the DNS (Domain Name Server) system where human readable URL’s (Universal Resource Locator) such as SurvivalBlog.com are translated into computer readable IP (Internet Protocol) addresses such …


Economics and Investing:

From G.G.: The Aftermath Of The Global Housing Bubble Chokes The World Banking System. Also from G.G.: “This debt is like a cancer,” says Erskine Bowles, co-chairman of President Obama’s debt and deficit commission Richard S. spotted this: The Irish Leave the EU. Do you recall my prediction of higher taxes–perhaps in some desperate and creative ways–to make up for state budget shortfalls? See: When Quinn the Governor gets here. (A hat tip to Tamara at the View From The Front Porch blog, for the link.)


Odds ‘n Sods:

F.J. sent us this item: Risk of Earthquakes in the U.S. Midwest May be More Widespread Than First Thought    o o o E.M. sent a link to a surprisingly even-handed New York Times video piece about an Appleseed shoot.    o o o Matt S. suggested a site with farm and building plans. This is the North Dakota State University farm plans service. It has plans for all kinds of buildings for farm, camp, residential and storage buildings. All plans are available to look at or download in PDF format, and you can also buy copies of the plans …


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

“The law of the LORD [is] perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD [is] sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the LORD [are] right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD [is] pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the LORD [is] clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD [are] true [and] righteous altogether. More to be desired [are they] than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.” – Psalm 19:7-10 (KJV)