Day: November 1, 2010

Note from JWR:

Today we present two entries for Round 31 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 …


Survival and “The Right Stuff” Thoughts on Guns and Medicine, by Matthew R.

Survivalism in our age represents a gamut of knowledge in diverse subject areas. Expertise in a specific subject area can be a rare and valuable find. But anyone who claims to be a “general expert” is an oxymoron at best. I have been serving in the Army Reserve and National Guard as a medic for seven years now; and I am an OIF veteran. That makes me an expert in a very limited area of combat medicine. It also makes me generally knowledgeable in areas of basic soldiering. Based on these experiences, I believe I knowledge and skills that could …


Insight on TEOTWAWKI from Quilting, by Don L.

Life offers us inspiration in the oddest times and ways. My wife is a third generation rag rug weaver but also has many other endeavors, such as baby quilts. She has a craft show coming up and wanted to finish the three quilts she had started. My occupation stems from working in the operating room and I have developed a fairly fine sewing skill so I offered to help. Little did I know this would give me insight in the preparations I am currently working on. As I was running a fine invisible stitch on the inside of the seams …


Letter Re: A Technique for Decanting Oil Into Small Containers

Sir: I found many years ago that oil by the gallon like WD-40 is cheaper than small cans of three in one. But, how to get the oil from the gallon jug to the small can? I took about four inches of surgical tubing, and pressed it onto the end of the squeeze can. Hold the small can with cap up. I took a small pill bottle, and filled it from the big gallon jug. Hold the small can upright, and put the end of the surgical tubing into the small bottle of fluid. As I squeeze the small can, …


Economics and Investing:

Forbes: Nitty Gritty Numbers Suggest Downward Spiral Gold Will Outlive Dollar Once Slaughter Comes: John Hathaway Reader John L. mentioned a piece by Doug French: Bank Failures in Slow Motion Items from The Economatrix: Imminent Big Bank Death Spiral Piercing The Mystery of the Gold Market Shipping The Housing Market Overseas The Coming Silver Shortage Moody’s: US Companies Hoarding Almost $1 Trillion In Cash ForeclosureGate Explained: Big Banks On The Brink The Tipping Point Has Arrived


Inflation Watch:

Gonzalo Lira: Signs Hyperinflation Is Arriving The market is ‘baking in” significant inflation. Investors are buying United States government bonds that effectively had a negative rate of return, because these bonds offer a guaranteed protection against inflation. (TIPS). The investors who took part in the $10 billion auction are betting that inflation, now at about 1 percent annually, will rise to a level that more than compensates for the premium they paid. The Inflation ‘Genie’ Unleashed: “By reducing real interest rates and trying to break the psychology of ‘Why spend today when I can buy goods cheaper tomorrow,’ they are …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Reader Edmond H. notes: “An item I like is the Pak-Lite flashlight. It is perfect for the pocket, pack, purse, or in the car or truck. It is essentially a 9Volt battery with two LEDs and a switch mounted on top. A strap was included on mine. I purchased one for each for every member of the family. It often takes the place of my Surefire which is overkill for many simple chores. It has a dim and a bright light setting. If the battery ever goes dead, just pop on a new one. Their web site says [each battery …