Day: September 19, 2010

Note from JWR:

Today we present another 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 of …


What Am I Prepping For–And How, by T.N.T.

I  started “officially” prepping about two years ago simply based on the way things were starting to turn bad with the economy and for fear that a real depression was coming.  As I studied and read what other preppers were doing and the reasons they were prepping I came away with some useful knowledge and information that changed my perception of prepping. My early experience found me gathering supplies helter-skelter and after several months I had no idea what else I might need to focus on.  Back in my younger day from backpacking experience, I knew I could make some …


Letter Re Peak Oil–The Short Version

Dear Jim and Family, There are many web sites dedicated to Peak Oil. All the explanations, the various arguments about when and explanations about why and the different methods for mitigating this disaster. I’ve spent most of 10 years involved with it. Once you get past the Kubler-Ross Grief Process, then Peak Oil is a matter of approach. It’s a huge problem for civilization, but its not necessarily an end. I admit to being optimistic about civilization because we are adaptive people. We will find a way. I take a lot of cues from the Third World because they adapt …


Economics and Investing:

More FDIC Friday Follies: Bankruptcy & Closures: Six More Bank Failures Makes 125 in 2010 Wasteland: Europe stalked by spectre of mass unemployment. (Thank to J.M for the link.) Retirement on Hold: American Workers $6 Trillion Short J.H.B. liked this piece by commentator Devvy Kidd: Bail-outs of Freddie and Fannie will bury us under unpayable debt Tom F. sent us this link: Congressmen Weiner and Waxman Set Gold Hearing Items from The Economatrix: A September Surprise is Coming…As Stunningly Stupid Politics Spread Widespread UK Civil Disorder “Inevitable” The Daily Gold And Silver Report reports COMEX warehouse shortages. A short squeeze …


Odds ‘n Sods:

C.J. Chivers, the New York Times newspaper’s Token-Guy-Who-Understands-Guns has posted an interesting piece about the weapons used by insurgents in the Middle East: What’s Inside a Taliban Gun Locker? Too bad that this article got relegated to a little-read blog page, rather than a prominent place in print. OBTW, a century ago American newspapers had both reporters with expertise, and editors with an interest in firearms. See, for example, an 1893 New York Times article about Krag rifle procurement. (Thanks to “Straycat” for sending the link to the C.J. Chivers article.)    o o o Michael H. sent us this …


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

“Wherefore it shall come to pass, if ye hearken to these judgments, and keep, and do them, that the LORD thy God shall keep unto thee the covenant and the mercy which he sware unto thy fathers: And he will love thee, and bless thee, and multiply thee: he will also bless the fruit of thy womb, and the fruit of thy land, thy corn, and thy wine, and thine oil, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep, in the land which he sware unto thy fathers to give thee.” – Deuteronomy 7:12-13 (KJV)