Day: December 19, 2010

Notes from JWR:

SurvivalBlog reader Edward P. very kindly created a new version of the SurvivalBlog Glossary that is much easier to navigate. (Much less scrolling!) Many Thanks, Ed! — 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, …


Crisis Mode and Effects Analysis, by Scott B.

In survivaldom there are countless potential crises to consider, ranging from a limited local flood to massive global nuclear conflict, and anything in between.  For the newcomer to the prepper/survivor mindset, as well as for those who have begun the journey to preparedness, the range and scope of calamities to consider can be overwhelming.  How does one weigh the need to keep fresh baby formula or insulin available while recognizing that unprotected electronics could become useless after an EMP event?  What good is frozen food if there is no electricity available?  Countless tradeoffs and prioritization must occur, but how does …


Letter Re: Lower Power DC Lighting

James Wesley: I am writing by the light of a post-apocalyptic reading lamp I just constructed. From a string of LED Christmas lights, I removed two sections of just three LEDs each. To each of these I attached in series a single 100 Ohm resistor from the parts bin at Radio Shack. A goose-neck work light provided a good reflector and glare control. I cut the plug off the other end and crimped on the connectors appropriate to my battery. The battery was salvaged from a defunct computer UPS. They are common to alarm systems and are not expensive new. …


Economics and Investing:

Citigroup: Dollar May Drop 11 Percent in 2011 as Treasurys Fall. (A tip of the hat to Brett G. for the link.) Katrine recommended this over at The End Of The The American Dream blog: 16 Nightmarish Economic Trends To Watch Carefully Tipping Point: 25 Signs That The Coming Financial Collapse Is Now Closer Then Ever. (Kudos to Tim E. for sending the link.) Florida ATM Spits Out Gold, Not Cash. But you’ve got to wonder about the mark-up… (Thanks to Steve P. for the link.) Still more FDIC Friday Follies, as six more banks bite the dust: Regulators close …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Of concern to readers in the U.S.: ATF to Require Multiple Sales Reports for Long Guns. Perhaps the Feds ought to police their own ranks, first. They seem to have some bad apples, some of whom have gone into “We Don’t Need No Stinkin’ Badges” (WDNNSB) mode. For example, take John Thomas Shipley, a rogue FBI agent in El Paso, Texas. Here is a quote: “A federal judge in August hit him with a two-year prison term for selling guns illegally. ATF agents had traced back to him a .50-caliber rifle that was used in a drug cartel shootout in …