Month: September 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)


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 …


Why a Practice Garden?, by Tom C.

Why should you practice growing vegetables now instead of before you may actually need them?  Well. As I found out, plopping some seeds and seedlings into the ground and then expecting a bounty was nothing more than a self delusional exercise this year.      I called this my practice garden from the start with the intention of learning some skills for planting food bearing plants to either supplement or replacing grocery store produce should the supply lines be disrupted or severed completely.  Ultimately my goal is to produce enough to eat, store and seed for the next planting; a complete …


Economics and Investing:

My cousin in England sent this: Preventing Your Government From Stealing Your Gold Respected Oil Analyst Charles Maxwell Forecasts Peak Oil by 2017 Retirement Fund Trillions Lure Government Grabbers. (Thanks to Jeff for the link.) M.E.W. flagged this news item: Chinese think tank warns US it will emerge as loser in trade war Items from The Economatrix: Why Governments Love Inflation and You Should Love Gold Two Big Threats to the Economy Shrink a Bit FedEx Delivers International Profits But Cuts US Jobs Average Mortgage Rates Rise to 4.37%


Odds ‘n Sods:

H.H. sent a web link that illustrates what can be accomplished with simple hand tools, and plenty of sweat. Simondale: A Low Impact Woodland Home    o o o K.T. suggested this article from an Australian military journal: Che Guevara and Guerrilla Warfare: Training for Today’s Nonlinear Battlefields    o o o “Word” found this linked over at the Theo Sparks web site: Rebuild a Jeep in Under Four Minutes.    o o o A few Project Gladio secrets are revealed: NATO’s Secret Armies. What are not mentioned are the veritable mountains of cached weapons and ammunition in Europe. A …



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 …


Using an Impending Crisis to Raise the Issue of Preparedness, by S.V.

How do you bring up the issue of preparedness, and its urgency? Some people won’t listen, regardless of how you approach them. They will continue to put their faith in the government and society, convinced that what you do is paranoid, suspicious, and unnecessary. However, if they are family, and truly loved, I believe that it is necessary that we don’t give up. My brother, God bless him, is an intelligent man. He is pursuing his masters at a university located around the Washington D.C. area so that he can go to work for the Federal Government. He puts his …


Product Review: ATI Gunstocks Adjustable Hunting Stock for Pump Shotguns

ATI Gunstocks Adjustable Hunting Stock for pump shotguns are American made, well-thought out and offer a lifetime guarantee. This stock fits all three major American brands—Winchester, Remington and Mossberg pumps. It comes with stock and fore end and a bag of adapters. I first tried it on a Remington 870. For installation, you will need a #2 Phillips screwdriver and a 1/2” socket wrench. Installation is reasonably straightforward, and the instructions are quite clear with good photos that cover disassembly of the original as well. The stock easily adjusts for 13-14.5 Length Of Pull in four stops, which is good …


Letter Re: What Your Cell Phone Could Be Telling the Government

James Wesley: Regarding the recent article at the Time magazine web site that has been forwarded far and wide: What Your Cell Phone Could Be Telling the Government. Remember, this is America. While there is no better place on earth to live, you are never any more free than They allow you to believe you are at any given moment. All you can do is live out your life, raise your family, eke out some happiness, and try to affect the change that is important to you in the short time you are here. It is certainly worthwhile (and patriotic) …