Day: December 17, 2010

Note from JWR:

Today we present another two entries for Round 32 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 $795, 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 250 round case of 12 Gauge …


A Christmas Gift for the Unprepared — The Starter Prep Kit, by Sean F.

Christmas isn’t what the television commercials would have you believe. It’s not about diamond jewelry, new cars or power tools. It’s not about trinkets and treasures and toys. It’s not about online shopping and last minute bargains. It’s about love. Not love of possessions or material wealth, but love for friends and family. And because you love them, you naturally want them to be happy and safe. In easy times, this isn’t a problem. But what if the Schumer really does Hit The Fan? Will the ones you love be able to sustain themselves and survive? If your family is …


Letter Re: Introduction to UV Air Treatment

Dear Editor: Can Michael M. provide a bit more detail in his process of developing a UV air treatment solution?  The part about” “Slack tube manometer and did a static test with the air handler running and the house closed up tight. I had a negative pressure of .45″ water column vacuum. I concluded that I needed a fresh air return duct if I was going to use my air handler to try and pressurize the house” is difficult for me to visualize.  Is the manometer on the upstream side of the Air Handler fan or the down stream?  Also …


Two Letters Re: Fight and Survive–Warrior and Scholar

Dear James: D.W. is exactly right about training for unarmed defense – at close range, the immediate empty hand response trumps even the 1.2 second draw. I would like to plug the superb training at Target Focus Training. Out of many years of training in different schools and courses, they are head and shoulders the most scientific, the most practical, and impart the most effectiveness in the least amount of training time. Their training is extremely expensive, and extremely good.  (By the way, I have no financial relationship to Target Focus Training other than being a happy customer.) Sign up …


Economics and Investing:

More contrapreneur self-delusion by the market “experts”: Time to Switch From Bonds to Stocks? The only truly safe haven in these days of fantasy currencies is in tangibles. J.B.G. suggested this piece by Gonzalo Lira: Want To Ruin Your Own Country? Assume Your Banks’ Liabilities Goodwill Providing Key Services Amid Tough Economy The Feds Final Days (Darryl Robert Schoon) John Mauldin documents how consumer credit is still collapsing: Unintended Consequences. Items from The Economatrix: How to Buy Gold and Silver   Precious Metals To Lead Commodity Returns In 2011, Goldman Sachs Predicts   Fed Signals Stronger Economy Won’t Slow Plan To …


Inflation Watch:

Debt monetization (the government buying its own debt) is waving a huge Red Flag that signals mass inflation in the near future: Fed Surpasses China in Treasury Binge News from England: Inflation surges at record pace in December Serbia’s Inflation Rate Hits 10 Percent Addison Wiggin: Why You Shouldn’t Trust the Core CPI Numbers General Mills to Raise Prices


Odds ‘n Sods:

Reader Dirk W. spotted this: Forever foods: 10 cooking staples that can outlast you    o o o I noticed that among the Top 50 Risk Management Blogs, SurvivalBlog is listed at #28.    o o o Several readers sent this: iPhone snitch network launched. Oh, and now YouTube has now added an option for flagging content that is terrorist in nature. So, any guesses on how long it will be before preparedness blogs, video blogs (vlogs), and podcasts get flagged?