Day: June 7, 2011

Notes from JWR:

Today (June 7, 2011) is Book Bomb Day for the new book The Simplicity Primer, by Patrice Lewis. We highly recommended her book. It should be fun to watch the Amazon rankings, as the day progresses. (For comparison, it was ranked around #16,000 on Monday.) — The first article today is a product review written by SurvivalBlog’s Editor at Large, Michael Z. Williamson. “Mad Mike” is a renaissance man: He’s a science fiction writer, firearms expert, a graphic designer, bladesmith, sport parachutist, martial artist, world traveler, and a historical re-enactor. Mike was Born in Birkenhead, England, but is a naturalized …


Product Review: Rock River Arms PDS Piston Driven Carbine

The PDS is Rock River Arms’ entry into the piston AR market.  I’ve never been enthusiastic about this concept, but Rock River Arms (RRA) put some serious design thought into this weapon, and the results are impressive. Here are some pictures. Starting at the rear, it has a side-folding stock, because the recoil system isn’t in a receiver extension inside it.  This is a significant advantage for transport and carry.  The folder mechanism does take a bit of getting used to.  It requires lifting the stock out of a deep detent.  It locks solidly in place open or closed, and …


Two Letters Re: Extreme Coupon Prepping

Sir: I just wanted to add a few comments to Y.M.’s extreme couponing prepping article. Shoppers fall into three categories: 1 ) the busy, unplanned shopper, 2 )  the rookie shopper and 3 ) the Olympian. The busy shopper just runs in the store and buys whatever is there. The rookie saves 10-20% and the Olympian saves about 80-90 %. I am definitely in the rookie category. I can save 20-40 % by just shopping the front and back page of the store’s weekly circular. Also if  you cook and do not eat out of boxes, you have additional savings. …


Letter Re: Mag-Lite D Cell LED Flashlights

Good Morning, Jim, I just wanted to pass on this information.  We bought a black Mag-Lite 2D Cell LED Flashlight from Wal-Mart for $33.88 a couple of weeks ago.[JWR Adds: I’ve seen the same 2-D Cell LED Mag-Lite advertised for a low as $20.88 at Amazon.com.] I would like to highly recommend this light as an inexpensive item to have in your kit.  It provides 114 lumens with an adjustable focus and effective lighting up to 298 meters. I can light up my driveway all the way to the bottom, approx. 125 feet. It is available in several colors including …


Economics and Investing:

SurvivalBlog’s G.G. sent this: Bob Rodriguez: The man who sees another crash. Moody’s Warns Big Banks Of Possible Downgrades Don’t Hold Your Breath Summer job bummer: Teen unemployment 24 percent. (Thanks to G.G. for the link.) Items from The Economatrix: Treasury Continues to Dip into Retirement Accounts BBC HardTalk:  Jim Rogers Moody’s Threat of US Downgrade Departure from S&P’s Warning


Odds ‘n Sods:

Reader Bill H. sent: 10 states most at risk of disaster. Bill noted: “None of the Redoubt States are included [in the top ten list]. This is another reason why my family and I are making plans to relocate there.”    o o o Lynn G. sent this troubling news headline from England: Food chain at risk of being poisoned by terrorist groups    o o o As documented in the Sipsey Street Irregulars blog, more details have emerged in the ATF’s Gunwalker scandal.    o o o More environmentalist hand-wringing: Could the Net be killing the planet one web …