Day: June 28, 2011

Note from JWR:

Today we present another entry for Round 35 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round 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 Alpine Aire freeze dried assorted entrees in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources. (A $400 value.) C.) A 9-Tray Excalibur Food Dehydrator from Safecastle.com (a $275 value), D.) A $250 gift certificate from Sunflower Ammo , and …


Lessons from Life on The Edge: The Evolution of My Go Bag, by Tim K.

I was stranded on the streets of Los Angeles because my so called “friend” stole my rent money.  Down and out, with no one to help, in a state where I knew nobody, I started out with nothing but the clothes on my back.  I started out grabbing odds and ends in an attempt to get by and make do.  I got some give-away matches from a corner convenience store and used a coffee can to cook whatever I could find.  After some finagling, I came up with a thick black garbage bag which held my supplies: Rain poncho I …


Two Letters Re: Hunter-Gatherer Mobile Survival

Hello, I’d expected Blue Sun’s letter to get some responses. I feel that Blue Sun mixed fact and fiction with his/her email, and I’m sure others had that impression. There will always be someone faster or stronger or a better shot. The best anyone can do is prepare for the worst and hope for the best. In earlier days, when regional populations were much smaller, nomadic cultures subsisted fairly successfully. (Many Mongolians live the same way today, albeit now with satellite television.) Such a strategy for WTSHTF is fine, but honestly even the historical hunter-gatherers had larders from which to …


Two Letters Re: The Case For Silver Spoons

Hi Jim, I wholeheartedly agree with using silver spoons daily. At issue with the article is the fact that many people have misconceptions about colloidal silver including F.J.B.  It should not be consumed internally.  Gargling or swishing around the mouth is fine, as is using it in a nasal sprayer for the sinuses and nasal passages.  Swallowing colloidal silver, however, is not advised.  The problem is that the elemental silver reacts with the hydrochloric acid in the stomach to produce silver chloride which does not have any of the sought after properties the the metallic silver has.  It will however …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Bob G. suggested this video: Faraday Cage: Garbage Can, Really?    o o o An interesting report: Liquid Sunshine Small Scale Alcohol Production in Local Communities    o o o IBD Editorial: Was Fast and Furious a Gun-Control Plot?    o o o Reader Matt H. wrote to mention this about camouflage: “I escaped the Southern California fires a couple of years age by driving a white pickup and wearing a hard hat and safety vest. Without faking logos or otherwise impersonating, I outwardly looked like any of many utility, CalTrans [highway department] or company trucks in the area. I …


Letter Re: Hunter-Gatherer Mobile Survival

Hi, Jim, It has been two years since I first wrote you about discovering your books and web site.  I start every day by reading the posts on your SurvivalBlog, without fail.  You have provided an invaluable tool and gift for readers.  What a blessing you have given so freely to others.  Thank you and God bless you for all that you do.  May you always have dry ammo and socks.   In the last week there have been several posts and subsequent replies that have really caught my attention, “Hunter-Gatherer Mobile Survival by Blue Sun” and “Lessons From Life …


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

“In order for this economy to become balanced again would require consumer debt to be reduced by $3 to $4 trillion and the savings rate to double from 5% to 10%. This will never happen voluntarily. Americans are still delusional. They are actually increasing their debt as credit card debt sits at $790 billion, student loan debt at $1 trillion, auto loans at $600 billion, and mortgage debt at $13.8 trillion. The debt will not decline until an economic Depression wipes out banks and consumers alike. America will go down with a bang, not a whimper.” – Jim Quinn, writing …